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The
Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments is a voluntary
association of local governments established by state law
serving the member jurisdictions in Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan,
Butler, Chickasaw and Grundy counties. As a service and planning
organization, it is responsible for coordinating, assisting
and facilitating programs in Community and Economic Development
that will benefit all governmental bodies in the INRCOG region.
Emphasis is placed on intergovernmental communication and
cooperation, accessing of funds, and the need for continuing,
comprehensive planning.
***NEWS
AND UPDATES***
I-JOBS
6/17/09
Governor Culver's signature initiative,
I-JOBS will strengthen Iowa's economy, help our state recover
from the natural disasters of 2008, and preserve or create thousands
of jobs. The $830 million three-year program includes several
parts but focuses on the key areas shown below. I-JOBS is funded
with existing state gaming revenue, meaning no increase in taxes.
For
more information related to the I-JOBS Program including rules,
Notice of Intent, and frequently asked questions,
please visit www.ijobsiowa.gov.
Disaster-Related News and Information
Disaster Funding 3/26/09
INRCOG has developed an overview of available disaster funding
that we've been able to identify thus far. To view this list,
click
here.
Please be advised this overview will change frequently and we
encourage you to check back and review the list often. Contact
Brian Schoon
for additional information.
Jumpstart - Single Family New Construction Program 3/10/09
The State of Iowa has announced a new federally funded program
to assist in the development of newly constructed single-family
homes in communities that lost housing as a result of the 2008
disasters. The homes must be marketed to individuals who make
at or less than 100% of the County Median Income by family size.
Assistance will be in the form of acquisition assistance, as
a 10 year forgivable loan, to income qualified homebuyers. Each
entity interested in this program will be responsible for developing
a project application that incorporates all of the information
requested by the State. Completed applications must be submitted
through the INRCOG office to the Iowa Department of Economic
Development by April 30, 2009. For more information, please
contact the INRCOG office.
General
Assembly Passes Disaster Recovery Legislation 2/17/09
Iowa House File 64 was signed into law by Governor Culver on
February 2, 2009. Within that legislation is the Community Disaster
Grant Program, which was created to provide recovery funds for
cities and counties affected by last years disasters.
Specifically, these funds are intended to be used for unfunded
projects. Please visit the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency
Management Divisions website page regarding this program
as it contains the grant application letter, preliminary allocation
figures, and the application itself. The website is found at:
http://www.iowahomelandsecurity.org/Home/2008Disaster/
CommunityDisasterGrant/tabid/266/Default.aspx
Please
note there is an application process and that each jurisdiction
has a target amount that they may request, as is indicated
in the materials on the website. Applications are due by April
1, 2009. If you have questions regarding the application,
please feel free to contact our office. You may also contact
the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division
at (515) 725-3231 or at cdg@iowa.gov.
Federal
Jumpstart Rental Rehabilitation for Storm Damaged Apartments
1/28/09
The State of Iowa has announced the development of a federally
funded Jumpstart Program to assist residential landlords who
own rental property that was damaged by the natural disasters
of 2008. INRCOG will be handling the administrative aspects
of this program for our six county region, including Black
Hawk County, outside of the Cedar Falls and Waterloo city
limits. This
program is funded with HUD Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) dollars and there are restrictions for use of the fundd.
An application form that is available on the Iowa Department
of Economic Development (IDED) and the Rebuild
Iowa (RIO) websites. A paper copy of the application can
be obtained from the INRCOG office. Please contact the INRCOG
at (319) 235-0311 for more information about this program.
Jumpstart
State and Federal Programs 3/4/09
For
information about the Jumpstart State and Federal Programs available
to assist homeowners and business owners who suffered damage
as a result of last year's disasters, contact Jim
Rodemeyer, Housing Director or Gary
Iversen, Economic Development Coordinator or visit the Rebuild
Iowa Office website at www.rio.iowa.gov/resources/jumpstart.html.
Cedar
Valley Nature Trail Closures 10/6/08
For
a map of the CVNT and portion closed due to damage caused by
this summer's flooding, click
here.
Transportation
2009 Trail Count Sign Up
5/21/2009
INRCOG
is looking for volunteers for the 2009 Trail Count which will
be held June 14-20. Click
here to view the schedule for available times and count
locations. Contact Laura
Jobst via email or by phone at (319) 235-0311 to sign up
or for more information.
Transportation
Improvement Program Public Hearings 6/2/09
The Black Hawk Metropolitan Area Transportation Policy Board
(MPO) and Iowa Northland Regional Transportation Authority
(RTA) will be holding public hearings on their draft Transportation
Improvement Programs (TIPs). The TIPs contain a listing of
transportation projects slated to receive federal funding
in the next four years (click
here for a list of MPO projects; click
here for a list of RTA projects). The public is encouraged
to view and comment on the TIPs prior to or at the public
hearings.
The public hearings will be at the following times:
- MPO Public Hearing - Thursday, June 11, at 10:00 a.m. at
the INRCOG Center, 229 E. Park Ave. in Waterloo.
- RTA Public Hearing - Wednesday, June 17, at 1:30 p.m. at
the INRCOG Center, 229 E. Park Ave. in Waterloo.
Questions
on the public hearings can be directed to Kevin
Blanshan, Andrea White,
or Laura Jobst by calling
INRCOG at (319) 235-0311.
American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) 3/11/09
MPO
Projects
INRTA
Projects
Map
of ARRA Projects
University Avenue Corridor Study
12/30/08
INRCOG, along with the cities of
Cedar Falls and Waterloo and the Iowa DOT, is initiating a study
of University Avenue between Iowa Highway 58 and U.S. Highway
63. The purpose of this study is to examine the various needs
along University Avenue and to develop a master plan that would
guide any future reconstruction.
If you have any input, comments or questions, please contact
us by e-mail at bob.lentz@aecom.com.
Project
Update No. 1 10/17/08
Project
Update No. 2 12/30/08
Project
Update No. 3 03/17/09
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