Iowa Economic Development Authority announced Tuesday that the City of Jefferson will receive their $1 million matching grant for the downtown revitalization project.
The City of Jefferson and Jefferson Matters: Main Street applied for the $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to improve the front facade of 16 downtown area buildings. The local match is $468,920 from the City and the 16 participating building owners. Construction on the project will not begin until next year.
City Administrator Mike Palmer says this project is the next step in beautifying the downtown area after completing the streetscape project.
“We’ve always said that to do the streetscape is one thing, but the next step will be to get something done with the buildings behind the curb. And this is that step towards that. We’re really going to start to see some big changes now beyond the streetscape.”
In total, the IEDA awarded $19.6 million of Community Development Block Grants to 59 communities in other areas such as downtown revitalization, community facilities, housing sustainability and water and sewer improvements.
For a full list of all of the recipients, click the link below.