Public Facilities
Green, sustainable communities view their water resources as a valuable natural
resource that is integral to the community's overall environmental, physical and
social health. Community sustainability requires protecting water resources in a
variety of ways including providing and operating environmentally and economically
effective and efficient water and wastewater treatment facilities. Energy efficiency
and environmental protection opportunities abound in managing and treating water
and wastewater whether it's using alternative energy to power systems, capturing
biogas for energy production or land use practices to protect the local watershed.
About $11 million in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds is available
to cities and counties on an annual competitive basis through the Water/Sewer Fund.
Assisted activities include sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements,
water and wastewater treatment facilities, storm sewer projects related to sanitary
sewer system improvements, and rural water connections. Applications are normally
due in November and award decisions are announced in March. For more information,
contact cdbg@iowalifechanging.com
or 515.725.3062.
About forty-seven (47) percent of the State's annual CDBG allocation from HUD will be distributed
through an annual competition for non-housing community development projects. The competitive
program is divided into two competitions: the Community Facilities and Services Fund and the Water and
Sewer Fund. The Community Facilities and Services Fund will represent seven (7) — fourteen (14)
percent of the State's CDBG allocation; the Water and Sewer Fund will represent thirty-three (33) — forty
(40) percent (precise amounts will be determined at the discretion of the IDED Director). The split in
competitions is designed to allow different types of activities to compete well, resulting in the best
possible projects being funded.
All eligible applicants compete with every other city and county eligible for funding. Communities with
populations less than 1,000 may receive up to $300,000, those with populations between 1,000 and 2,500
may receive up to $500,000, those with populations between 2,500 and 15,000 may receive up to
$600,000, and those with populations greater than 15,000 population may receive $800,000 each year.
Communities with populations less than 300 are limited to $1,000 per capita, as are unincorporated areas
of a county proposing direct service projects.
Links
