A grant application was recently submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Association for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Downtown Revitalization Fund for a master façade improvement project. The million dollar project is a fantastic collaboration between the City of Ottumwa, Main Street Ottumwa, Ottumwa Property and Redevelopment Co. (OPRC), Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation and the various property owners in the 300 block of East Main. A request of $500,000 has been made to IEDA, which is a match to the other shareholders of the project including the City of Ottumwa at $125,000 and the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation at $250,000 with the remaining investment paid by the building property owners. “This project has the potential to be transformative to our downtown,” stated Brad Little, Legacy Foundation President/CEO. “If we are able to secure this grant, it is possible that at some point in the future we will look back on this project and know that it was the jumpstart to the revitalization of our downtown.” We are proud to be part of this project and thank everyone who has assisted us in this effort. It is anticipated that award notifications will be announced in the spring of 2013.