Des Moines County supervisors discuss using road work as local match for Midwest Realty's workforce housing grant

Des Moines County supervisors discussed June 3 a proposal to use a county road improvement as a local match so Midwest Realty Company could qualify for a state workforce-housing grant, but they stopped short of approving a direct cash contribution to a private developer.

Supervisor Tom Broker told colleagues that Midwest Realty representative Ryan Negropis asked the county to provide a local match to make the firm eligible for a state workforce housing grant. Board members said they were not comfortable giving direct cash to a private company, but explored an alternative in which the developer would pay costs above a county contribution for a local gravel access road that serves the Sundown Apartments.

What was discussed - Project and costs: The board described an old gravel county access road that provides access to apartments near Memorial Park Road and which the county engineer estimated would need roughly $130,000 to be paved and restored. The board discussed a county contribution of $56,000 toward that improvement; the developer reportedly agreed to cover the balance if the grant is awarded. - Grant size and developer offer: Board members reported that Midwest Realty would become eligible for about a $6,700,000 state workforce housing grant if the local match condition is met; a county speaker said Midwest agreed to pay the cost beyond the county's $56,000 share. - Timing and conditions: Supervisors emphasized that any county work or payment would be contingent on the developer securing the state grant. The board indicated formal paperwork to pursue that approach would appear on the agenda at the next meeting.

Board comments and rationale Supervisors voiced concerns about using county funds to benefit a private firm directly, noting Des Moines County has no tax-increment financing (TIF) or similar programs for direct owner subsidies. Several supervisors said they supported a solution that improved public infrastructure (the road) while helping a grant-eligible redevelopment proceed, calling the arrangement potentially a "win-win" if the developer pays all costs above the county share and the grant is awarded.

Outcome No final county commitment or vote was made during the June 3 meeting. Supervisors said the matter will return on next week's agenda with written paperwork for formal consideration; any county contribution would be contingent on Midwest Realty securing the state grant.