IOS Foundation reports $3.9 million in local grants; housing, tourism and water projects highlighted

Brenda Marion, identified in the meeting as president and CEO of the IOS Foundation, told the Pottawattamie County Board that the foundation awarded about $3.9 million in grants and initiatives this cycle and highlighted housing, tourism and water-system projects.

The grants package includes roughly $2 million aimed at creating and rehabbing housing units in the county and a $1 million continuation fund to acquire and rehabilitate or demolish dilapidated houses. Marion said the habitat-focused program will prioritize owner-occupied outcomes where feasible and that Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs will serve as a local coordinator for property acquisition and rehabilitation work. Marion added that legal aid will assist tenants so they are not displaced abruptly during property transitions.

The foundation also designated about $500,000 for tourism and sports-entertainment initiatives, including a grant to the Omaha Sports Commission to help attract regional events. Marion said one goal is to increase the number of multi-day visitors who use local restaurants and hotels.

Marion reported a $200,000 contingent grant to the city of Essex for a water-system upgrade. She said the award is contingent on Essex securing additional federal and state funds and that the foundation does not expect its contribution to cover all project costs. Marion described the Essex award as a “small proportion” of the project's overall need and emphasized that the county and communities will have to assemble multiple funding sources to address water infrastructure problems.

Marion also referenced prior work the foundation supported in Crescent, where initial capital investments were followed by operating losses in the early years; she said grant-funded capital investments in some cases will take years to break even and urged caution when citing short-term operating results.

Board members and staff asked Marion a few clarifying questions about management and oversight of revolving loan funds and about the population served. Marion said Front Porch Investments (an Omaha-based lender) will operate a revolving loan program in Council Bluffs that the foundation funded to support housing-related loans; the foundation placed parameters on the award to ensure the funds are used in Pottawattamie County.

Marion asked for coordination with county staff on water issues, noting that small towns may need different technical approaches (for example, addressing water loss and shallow versus deep wells) and that the foundation will adapt its application review criteria as the county provides more information.

The board received the update; no formal board action on the grants was recorded during the meeting. Marion also noted the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will hold a meeting in Council Bluffs at Ameristar on April 24, an item she flagged as regionally significant.

The presentation closed with brief recognition of a county employee's 20 years of service and routine meeting items.