(Des Moines)—The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reminding small communities of a grant program it has available to help demolish or renovate abandoned commercial and public structures.
The DNR says the next round of funding for its 2013 Derelict Building Grants Program is accepting applications through 4:00 p.m. February 1st, 2013.
The program was established to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. It emphasizes the reuse and recycling of building items, helps improve street appearance and commercial development and alleviated the environmental concern posed by the buildings. Financial assistance includes asbestos removal, building deconstruction and renovation, and other inspections and site assessments. A cash match is required.
Locally, a project in Sibley was awarded $6,000 to renovate the interior and exterior of a commercial building that will be marketed for commercial interests.
Statewide, 15 projects were approved for the 2012 grant cycle, totaling $730,000. Cash matches totaled $561,000.
