Interested in making your community more attractive? Have you considered a state grant that can leverage local dollars, support volunteer efforts and encourage improvements to local image and appearance?

Through April 2, Keep Iowa Beautiful is accepting applications for their 2012 Community Beautification Grant Program. This program is designed for communities of less than 5,000 that wish to implement beautification projects. Applications and complete details are available at www.keepiowabeautiful.com/kib-beautification-grant.cfm.

Iowa’s Economic Development Board recently awarded $600,000 and tax incentives to Hewlett-Packard, which is proposing a logistics center near an existing facility in Des Moines. The company plans to lease a 300,000-square-foot build-to-suit facility on 20 acres. The $16.7 million expansion is expected to create 150 new jobs and retain 62 jobs.

In addition, the board approved tax incentives for Pioneer Hi-Bred to expand its operations in Johnston. The plant genetics company plans to construct additional offices, a state-of-the-art insectory, new growth chambers for plant breeding and a greenhouse. The project represents a $147 million project cost and is expected to create 138 jobs. The company currently employs more than 2,100 workers in Iowa.

The Vision Iowa Board recently approved marketing grants to better promote several local attractions and draw more people to Des Moines to enjoy all that we have to offer. The grant awards will be used to step up marketing effort for:

• Des Moines Art Center - $15,000.
• Blank Park Zoo - $15,000.
• Science Center of Iowa - $12,015.
• Iowa Events Center - $9,798.
• High Trestle Trail - $2,207.50.

Those of you impacted by Iowa’s 2010 floods may be eligible for financial assistance through the “Iowans Helping Iowans” Unmet Needs Disaster Assistance program.

The program provides up to $2,500 per household to help pay for losses or expenses not covered by other forms of assistance, including personal property, home repair, food assistance, mental health assistance, child care, transportation and temporary housing.

Indigo Dawn, of Des Moines, was recently awarded $225,000 through the Iowa Power Fund to team with experts in the design, energy and building industries to transform a brick masonry building in downtown Des Moines into an integrated renovation and prototypical site that achieves a 75% improvement in energy efficiency.

Since its creation, the Iowa Power Fund has helped to attract renewable energy companies to out state, to create good jobs, and to make Iowa a leader in value-added agriculture. The Power Fund has invested more than $47 million directly in 37 competitive projects, leveraging more than $295 million in energy research and development, early stage commercialization and education.

The Power Fund Community Grants program is making a difference in Iowa’s communities, helping community members better understand how to identify and implement energy improvements. Cities, counties and non-profit organizations can apply for up to $50,000 to support local programs.

Recently, the Office of Energy Independence awarded $26,900 to The Energy Group in Des Moines to develop and disseminate a tool that identifies and quantifies the potential for energy savings and economic savings if outdoor lighting systems are replaced with LED technologies. In addition, the City of Des Moines will receive $30,000 to work with local businesses in implementing sustainability practices. Each business will create a customized action plan for business improvements and track the resulting energy savings.

Wednesday State and city leaders announced a $10 million grant from the DOT to build a downtown transit hub.

This is part of our effort to secure state and federal funding for the 20.5 million dollar DART Transit Hub. I-JOBS invested 4 million dollars in this project which I helped to secure.

The hub will go up between 6th street and 7th street, south of Cherry Street.

DART has estimated that the facility will cost about $21 million. They plan to break ground on the transit hub next spring.

Through October 15, Iowa school districts can apply for a reimbursement match of $38,000 to replace a 1993 or older school bus that is still in regular use and wouldn’t otherwise be replaced with a new 2010 school bus with an EPA-certified bus engine.

In additional, school districts can get a 100 percent reimbursement for the purchase and installation of a combination of 20 diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) and/or closed crankcase ventilation systems (CCVs) equipment for their bus fleet.

More information is available at iowadnr.gov.

Between October 15 and November 15, the Iowa Office of Energy Independence will accept proposals for energy projects through the Power Fund Community Grants Program.

Cities, counties and non-profits can apply for funding to promote local energy efficiency and renewable energy; establish a community energy efficiency plan; train or create jobs in the energy area; create public awareness about energy issues; or help community members understand, identify and implement energy improvements.

For more information and to apply, go to www.iowagrants.gov. If you have questions, contact Kristin Hanks at 515-725-0440 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Iowa DNR is accepting applications through September 1 from local groups looking to improve water quality in their area.

Watershed Planning Grants provide groups $10,000 to $50,000 to develop plans to improve local rivers, lakes and streams on the state’s impaired waters list.

Applications and additional details are available at www.iowadnr.gov/water/watershed/planning.html or by contacting Stephen Hopkins at 515-281-6402 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

With a completed Watershed Management Plan, local groups can then apply for additional funds to put the plan in practice.

The Iowa Arts Council has awarded Major Grants to several Des Moines artists and organizations. These grants deliver the arts to Iowans through a range of programs and educational outreach, and are awarded to schools, individuals, arts organizations and community organizations across Iowa.