The City of Ottumwa will now provide $10,000 to homebuilders or homeowners who complete a new single-family home. The Build Ottumwa program was approved by the City Council in June. Under the program, anyone building a new single-family home valued at least $125,000 will be eligible for a $10,000 economic development grant, as available funds allow. Grant applications are available with a building permit application in the Building and Code Enforcement Office at City Hall.
“We know from conversations held with contractors and developers that there remains a gap in profitability to building homes right now,” said Legacy Foundation President Kelly Genners. “This program will help to close that gap and get those single-family homes built that we so desperately need.” The Legacy Foundation contributed $150,000 for the Build Ottumwa Program in a match to the $150,000 made available from the city.
“We have housing needs in categories, but single-family has been the hardest to incentivize,” said Community Development Director Zach Simonson. “These types of incentives have been very effective in other communities, and we are eager to see the effect in Ottumwa.” Applications for Build Ottumwa are open now and will be offered until available funds are allocated.
