2017 ceds draftfornovmtg

Feasibility studies have become very popular throughout the region with donor fatigue being a concern. There needs to be more coordinated efforts in the region to avoid this happening. People only have so much money to donate and only so much free time to give to a project. Asking people multiple times for multiple priorities can be very annoying to the donor. We have begun discussing a coordinating effort in Jackson County and hopes this happens in the other counties.

G. EASTERN IOWA RURAL UTILITIES, INC.: Provide technical assistance to local governments and coordinate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) in the efforts to administer the 28E organization that provides water and sewer services to cities and rural residents. Asked Mark.

1. ECIA will continue work with counties in the region in the design and application plans for funding for unsewered-communities in the region.

2. ECIA staff will work to secure funding for staff and preliminary engineering costs to continue doing water and sewer projects in underserved communities.

H. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Provide technical assistance to local governments, development corporations, chambers of commerce, businesses, and individuals, in the ongoing implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. ECIA has traditionally provided technical assistance to local governments via a Municipal Relations Coordinator and the Regional Economic Development Coordinator and has extended this to economic development technical assistance. The association will provide technical expertise in financing and deal packaging.

1. ECIA will assist with Tax Increment Financing in the region.

Accomplishments and Quantifiable Deliverables Provided Economic Development Finance 101 to the elected officials and others in the region. Prosperity Eastern Iowa Hosted the region’s legislators to discuss uses of TIF. Difficulties None at this time 2. ECIA will assist in writing ordinances and in developing zoning plans.

Accomplishments and Quantifiable Deliverables ECIA works with member communities in updating their city codes and individual ordinances every year, using a Model Code that is updated by an attorney. This year, staff assisted five communities with full city code updates, and wrote five individual ordinances.

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