Following the success of a new housing program in Greene County last year, another new housing program is starting up this year.

Highway 25 Corridor Housing Initiative spun up this year and is led by John Rigler III, President and Chief Operating Officer of Peoples Bank, who wanted to bring additional housing to the western side of Greene County, after the Highway 144 CHI awarded 25 projects of up to $1,000 matching grant for exterior improvements to homes in Grand Junction, Paton, Dana and Rippey last year for a total of over $223,000. 

Rigler tells Raccoon Valley Radio 25 CHI is made up of Scranton and Churdan in Greene County, as well as communities outside of the county with Coon Rapids, Bayard and Ralston also participating. He says applications are now being accepted for home exterior improvements for a matching grant up to $1,500, which the funding from their organization is public and private.

Rigler shares the feedback he had received from the communities that are a part of 25 CHI.

“They’ve been very receptive to it and I’ve appreciated just how quickly they’ve been able to grasp the concept and make a decision one way or another. Fortunately, everybody decided to jump in, who we approached. That I think really just shows some community leaders that (are) open-minded and willing to make some investment in their communities on behalf of their constituents. Again, I felt like it was small town Iowa actually working, which is really refreshing to see.”         

In Greene County, the grant applications are available at Scranton City Hall, H.F. Maude E. Marchant Memorial Library in Scranton, Peoples Bank in Scranton, Churdan City Hall and the Churdan Library. You can also click here to access the application online and all applications must be submitted either online or to Peoples Bank in Scranton by May 1st.