The City of Glenwood, Iowa was just awarded $521,526 through a grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Downtown Revitalization program. The City’s application was written by Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), which will also administer the project once underway. This grant will revitalize a total of 8 facades in the downtown area of Glenwood.

“The City of Glenwood is excited to partner with IEDA, SWIPCO, Curtis Architecture, and the property owners involved in the Downtown Revitalization project,” stated Amber Farnam, City Administrator for the City of Glenwood. “We know that this project will only enhance the charm and beauty already found in our historic downtown square.”

Downtown Revitalization Community Development Block Grants were started in Iowa in 2012 to help preserve and restore downtown buildings for economic development. Since 2012, SWIPCO has assisted with a total of seven Downtown Revitalization projects in the Southwest Iowa region. The CDBG grant will cover 50% of the project costs, the city covers 25% of the project costs, and the building owners cover the remaining 25%. This will be the city of Glenwood’s first Downtown Revitalization project.

“Glenwood has a downtown full of beautiful historic buildings that, like other downtowns, has seen some disinvestment,” stated SWIPCO Community Development Lead Planner Dani Briggs. “This project will work to reduce the blighted areas, highlight the historic architecture, and promote future investment in the downtown area.”

Construction is estimated to begin March 2025.