The Panora City Council signed the contract with the Iowa Economic Development Authority to officially receive a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) at their recent meeting.

The City has been awarded $169,400 for a housing sustainability project. The funds will be used toward exterior home improvements of up to $24,999 to each of four low-income families that successfully applied for the program. City Administrator Lisa Grossman says the City’s next steps include approving further documents with Region XII Council of Governments who are facilitating the grant, and Region XII performing site visits of the four owner-occupied homes and soliciting contractor bids. Grossman adds that the housing sustainability program allowed for up to six home renovations, so the City plans to apply for supplemental grant funding for a fifth home that has become eligible. The City has until June 30th, 2022 to use the CDBG funds.