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Benton Development Group briefs supervisors on $100,000 county allocation and recent project wins
Summary
Benton Development Group told supervisors it is funded primarily by the county and used $100,000 annually to staff operations, marketing, and grants work; BDG said it secured just under $2 million for county projects and listed recent downtown housing and business grants.
Benton Development Group (BDG), the county’s nonprofit economic development organization, presented an annual overview to Benton County supervisors and described how the county’s $100,000 annual allocation is used.
The BDG presenter (name not specified) told supervisors BDG is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that receives most of its operating budget from the county and that 75%–80% of the county allocation covers staff wages. The presenter said BDG spent the remainder on marketing, travel tied to grant work, and community development activities such as downtown walk‑around visits organized with state partners. The presenter said BDG’s office space is provided at a reduced monthly rate ($250 per month) by a board member.
BDG reported it helped communities secure nearly $2,000,000 in federal disaster‑recovery and housing grants in the most recent year, with projects including upper‑story apartment conversions, duplexes, and small downtown business support in towns such as Belle Plaine and Atkins. The presenter identified specific projects: the Moore Building renovation in Belle Plaine (five upper‑story apartments plus a lower‑level restaurant grant), King Theatre upper‑story living apartments in Belle Plaine, and duplex workforce housing in Atkins. BDG said it coordinates with ECCOG (East Central Iowa Council of Governments) on CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) projects and serves as a local connector to developers and state programs.
The group also briefed supervisors on BDG’s downtown “walk‑around” visits led by Iowa Economic Development Authority teams; BDG said every county community except Keystone, Norway and Garrison has participated. BDG’s presenter said the organization has seven years of staffing in the role, a modest office budget, and an annual $100,000 request from the county. The presenter asked supervisors to consider continued support and an appointment to BDG’s board.
Why it matters: The county allocation underwrites BDG staff time and local economic development activity; BDG functions as the county’s front line to attract grant funding and coordinate state and federal resources for downtown and housing projects.
Supervisors’ questions focused on budget detail and how money is spent. BDG said 75%–80% of the county allocation covers staff and that the remainder pays marketing, travel and small projects. BDG also noted a modest $6,000 annual contribution from a regional electric cooperative to support BDG work.
Next steps: BDG will expect a county representative to its board; supervisors said they would appoint a representative and monitor BDG’s use of county funds.
