ECIA May Newsletter

ecia spotlight

ECIA

Congratulations to the above staff who recently celebrated work anniversaries. Your dedication and hard work in and for the ECIA region are truly appreciated. 160 combined years of service!

Michelle Schnier 37 years

Marla Quinn 22 years

Gail Kuhle 20 years

Mindy Wiley 19 years

Leonard O’Connell 18 years

Stacie Scott 15 years

Christine Mergen 15 years

Dylan Michels 7 years

Shelby Eipperle 5 years

Dan LoBiancol 2 years

CSEI’s Women of Achievement

Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa’s (CSEI) Shelby Eipperle and Ashley Noonan, both Homeless Program Coordinators, (pictured below third from right and fourth from left, along with other staff and CSEI board members Martha Doyle and Beth Bonz, second and third from left) were both nominated for the Women of Achievement Award, hosted by the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) of Dubuque on April 11th. The event is designed to recognize and honor women who have already, or aspire to, provide significant contributions in their professional or community roles.

Jennifer Walker, CSEI Director of Special Programs commented, “Shelby and Ashley have done a remarkable job and I would put their commitment and talent up against anyone in our community. They are deserving of this recognition for the work they’ve accomplished in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our region. I’m in awe of what they do on a daily basis.”

CSEI @Home Photovoice Opening on June 7th

Home is Where the Heart is, Bob Felderman

Join CSEI as they celebrate community and the artistic expression of storytelling through photography.

Photovoice is a storytelling technique used to put a camera in the hands of people to explore and share their perspectives on a certain topic. CSEI’s mission of addressing homelessness and housing instability was the reason for focusing on the prompt of @HOME. Home could be a favorite place to be—or a place the photographer would rather not be. It could be a community, a pet, or a person. The CSEI Photovoice will exhibit various perspectives of what @HOME means to our community.

Gallery Opening Reception: June 7th from 5 pm to 8 pm; Dubuque Museum of Art, 701 Locust Street, Dubuque, IA; Photographer introductions at 6 pm; Registration for the Gallery Opening Reception: www.tinyurl.com/cseirsvp. The photo exhibit will run from June 1 - July 20, at the Dubuque Museum of Art.

Delhi Pickleball Courts Underway

The Delhi Hometown Pride committee is facilitating the construction of two pickleball courts in Silver Lake Park. Concrete has been poured and fencing is starting. Thanks to a Rural Enrichment grant from the State of Iowa, grants from the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County, McElroy Trust, and several private contributions (including a private donation of $20,000), the two courts will be completed this summer. Game on!

New Pocket Park for Preston

First impressions set the tone and impact where someone decides to call home. Knowing this, the City of Preston together with Preston Growth and Development/Hometown Pride (PGD/HP), set out to enhance new community members’ and visitors’ first impressions of their downtown, by creating a beautiful and welcoming focal point now known as Main Street Square (MSS).

As part of their vision for the community, the City and PGD/HP had been exploring small spaces in town with the intention of creating several pocket parks; the MSS property rose to the top of the list.

The lot was a 30x30’ gravel space, next to the coffee shop, across from City Hall and the public library on the city’s “Main Street” and is one of the first spaces seen when turning on to the main street. PGD/HP spearheaded the project plans, with volunteer committee members, Nancy Kieffer and Dorothy Schmidt leading the way to create a community area that would be ADA compliant with paved surfaces and seating, updated lighting and electrical, shade, artwork, and a community booth available to promote economic and community development. The vision included Girl Scouts selling cookies, Boy Scouts selling popcorn, youth groups and 4H participants promoting their goods, and groups fundraising for local causes.

Grants, fundraising efforts, and donated services led to the success of the project, symbolized by the large signature heart rock proudly welcoming people to Preston. Nancy Kieffer shared, “This was a real display of a community project and the support shown was impressive! I just inquired about products and people were very generous. Preston Telephone is donating a streaming music service so everyone in MSS and that area can enjoy music year-round. The large rock was donated by Wendling Quarries, and the crane service required to move it was donated by Lawson Rigging. We are fortunate to live in the area we do!”

The project will be completed soon with the addition of two red benches, a black garbage can, and a donor recognition sign.

Maquoketa Breaks Ground

On April 6, the Maquoketa Hometown Pride and Betterment Corporation publicly kicked off the Greenspace Redevelopment project. City Manager Josh Boldt, Fifth Ward Councilman Mark Lyon, Mayor Tom Messerli, Co-chair of the Greenspace Redevelopment Fundraising Committee Nancy Kilburg, and Jackson County Economic Alliance Assistant Director Ben Davison (pictured in order below) said a few words as golden shovels turned over dirt at the future location of the new stage.

The vision began after a 2008 fire destroyed half of a downtown city block and the community lost several businesses. The fire left 0.54 acres of rubble, stone, and melted building materials which were excavated to the ground level and topped with dirt. Today, the empty space is a reminder of the tragic fire but also an inspiration that could become a real asset to Maquoketa.

The City, in partnership with the Maquoketa Hometown Pride and Betterment Corporation began using the greenspace for events such as their Summer Concert Series, Fire Ball, Art in the Park, and Maqtoberfest. With increased attendance at these festivals each year, the greenspace became a local gathering point and community leaders decided to make this into a permanent attraction.

The project includes a permanent stage located at the spot where the current temporary stage is used for the Summer Concert Series (last year renamed Music on the Green). The project also includes plans for a restroom structure, a concrete pad for dancing, a children’s sensory area, upgrades to the site, and more.

City Manager Josh Boldt stated, “It’s our hope the completed project is a catalyst for Maquoketa’s growth and creates opportunities for the Maquoketa area to engage in organized events such as the already very successful Fireball and Maqtoberfest. We feel the potential for this site and the outcomes are very high.”

As the public fundraising phase begins, the committee hopes to receive more funding from grants. The City plans to send project specs out to bid this year and officially start construction in the spring of 2025.

Manchester’s Shelly Park Improvements

Placement of a shade structure represented the final touch in the renovation of the Howard & Helen Shelly Memorial Park in Manchester. With Community Development Block Grant funding received in July 2022 from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the City was able to replace the small gazebo with a large open ADA accessible shade structure; added a shared-use ADA compliant trail, a grass amphitheater with concrete walls for seating, a new retaining wall, and trees; and make upgrades to lighting and water service.

The park is located next to the Maquoketa River and Whitewater Park, where whitewater enthusiasts congregate for recreational activities, such as kayaking, tubing, and swimming. The park is a popular place for residents to pause and observe these activities, enjoy a picnic, and attend community festivals.

Tim Vick, Manchester City Manager shared, “Shelly Park is a focal point to our downtown. This renovation enhances our abilities to host community events in the park, drawing more people to our downtown.”

“Create a Healthy Home”

ECIA hosted “Create A Healthy Community Event” on May 10th in Manchester’s Central Park. The event was a collaboration between ECIA, the City of Manchester, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Manchester Hometown Pride.

Federal HUD representatives joined local leaders to highlight projects demonstrating the tremendous impact that the funding has had in East Central Iowa. Attendees took a trolley tour viewing seven neighborhood homes of the 20 renovated in Manchester since 2021. Kim Glaser, ECIA Community Development Specialist stated, “We had quality time with our HUD representative Johanna Miller, from the National HUD office (pictured below planting a tree). She was able to see in-person some of our great results and we were able to glean from her some great advice.”

The fun, family-friendly celebration included a neighborhood clean-up, children’s games and inflatables, tree plantings, and lunch served by the Manchester Hometown Pride Committee as a fundraiser for their Dog Park project. Service information booths were available with staff from MercyOne (mobile medical unit health screenings), the Visiting Nurses Association, the Crisis Intervention Service, and Child Care Resource & Referral of Northeast Iowa.

Glaser went on to say, “We were able to put faces with voices for some really key partners in the region, and our local media partners gave us some great coverage.”

Angela Koppes, ECIA Lead Inspector, handing out materials

A Different Way to Look at Affordable Housing

In May, Prosperity Eastern Iowa (PEI) members visited Newton to learn more about Homes for Iowa (HFI), Iowa’s premier homebuilding and job training initiative. HFI’s Chad Squires and Stephanie Nagrocki led the group on a tour of the two- and three-bedroom homes, in various stages of progress. The program trains incarcerated individuals (78 to date) in the building trades and then helps them translate their new skills into building homes. The completed homes are sold and transported to prepared sites to pay for the job training. These affordable homes are delivered throughout the entire State. Since 2020, HFI has moved 91 homes to 38 Iowa counties and trained over 113 incarcerated individuals. Visit Homesforia.com for more details.

After the HFI tour, the group met for lunch and another tour with Craig Armstrong, Development Specialist and Bruce Showalter, Housing Director, Newton Housing Development Corporation. On their tour, PEI members learned about the downfall of Maytag, the town’s largest employer, and the city’s claim to fame, the Iowa Speedway, where attendance continues to grow each year. They toured the Town Square, lined with beautiful old buildings that were included in the $16 million historic renovation. Among the buildings toured were the Maytag Hotel converted into upper story apartments, and the beautifully restored Capitol Theater.

The group also learned about Newton’s unique claim to fame; Joy, a pig who holds the Guinness Book of World Record for doing the most tricks in a minute. Joy’s owners also own the Theater where she has her own dressing room and makes appearances preforming tricks from time to time. Now that’s something to squeal about!

EIRHA Staff Recognized

The Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA) staff were recognized with the President’s Service Award at the Iowa NAHRO conference held in April. “The President’s Service Award is given to a chapter member for clearly demonstrating outstanding effort and achievement in the promotion and success of the chapter. The 2024 President’s Award was presented to EIRHA for their continued dedication, not only to providing high quality public housing units and maintaining high occupancy rates, but also while preparing for implementation of new HUD regulations and processes. At the same time the Director has continued to demonstrate ongoing support for the chapter by allowing a rising leader, Mindy Wiley, to serve on the Board and attend the legislative conference, in place of the Iowa NAHRO board President, with less than 96 hours’ notice. As a member of the board, this staff member has jumped in to ensure conference sessions covered important topics and were offered.” Jodi Royal Goodwin, Iowa NAHRO Board President (pictured right presenting award).

ECIA’s Director of Housing and Support Services, Michelle Schnier, said this about her team, “Shout out to Ben Cooper, Maria Elgin, Michelle Huseman, Debbie Maier, Mindy Meyers, Kristi Oberhoffer, Leonard O’Connell, Carl Reimer, Jenny Schrobilgen, Caitlin Siemionko and Mindy Wiley! EIRHA would not receive these accolades without all their hard work and efforts! They are the glue that holds all of our programs and work together!”