Iowa Rural Certified Site Initiative

Who can apply

REQUIREMENTS: The proposed certified site must: · Be located in a county with a population of less than 50,000 according to the 2020 federal decennial census; · Meet the minimum required criteria for the IEDA Certified Sites Program including, but not limited to: land availability, required utility capacities, completed due diligence surveys, and site access. · See 2026 Certified Sites Program Guidebook for complete requirements for certification. The applicant must document the availability of matching funds. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include economic development organizations, cities, counties, utility companies, private development organizations, and landowners. Eligible applicants for the 2026 IRCSI will be identified by IEDA based on the Notification to Pursue Certification (NTPC) that is required to initiate the site certification process. Eligible Use of Funding Attorney Title Opinion Boundary Survey Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Wetlands Delineation Threatened and Endangered Species Study Cultural Resources Identification Survey (CRIS) Geotechnical Investigation Other costs determined as eligible by the authority Only costs incurred after a NTPC has been submitted will be eligible Ineligible Use of Funds Land options or other expenses associated with real estate Transportation-related expenses (roadways, rail spur or improvements, other) Mitigation costs (wetlands, archeological, other) Salary/time costs of applicants or consultants Other costs determined as ineligible by the authority Funds may not be used for recertification of existing certified sites. HOW TO APPLY Applicants must apply via IowaGrants.gov, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete, or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants must create a login to view the full application for the program. Applicants must complete the Notification to Pursue Certification (NTPC) by March 1, 2026 via a link in the 2026 Certified Sites Guidebook. The Guidebook will be distributed via email following the kickoff webinar to those who have expressed an interest in certification. The submitted NTPC forms will be reviewed by certification consultants to determine whether proposed sites are candidates for certification. IEDA will then review the NTPC forms from certification-eligible applicants to determine eligibility to apply for grant funds. Eligible IRCSI applicants will be notified by IEDA and invited to apply for grant funds and receive instructions on how to commence the grant application process. During the certification process, applicants will complete due diligence requirements and can submit requests for reimbursement of allowable expenses and supporting documentation. EVALUATION AND APPROVAL Eligibility Review Applicants must demonstrate evidence of the following: Applicant is an eligible candidate Funding request meets eligible project and expense requirements Request is for no more than $37,500 Request includes proof of 1:1 cash match Application is complete and submitted through IowaGrants.gov Application Review IEDA staff will make a recommendation to the Director as to award amounts and which applicants should receive grants based on the follow criteria: Priority will be given to communities/counties that do not have a certified site. Priority will be given to communities/counties that are greater distances from counties with a population greater than or equal to 50,000 Priority will be given to sites that have documented support from the applicable city and county government. Priority will be given to applicants with a feasible plan to market the site following certification. Additional Award Information · There is a limit of one award per applicant per fiscal year. · IEDA must approve funds for certification of a maximum of two sites in each congressional district. · Preference will be given to applications in congressional districts that did not receive a minimum of two applications in the 2025 application round GRANT ADMINISTRATION Recipients will enter into a contract with IEDA for administration of the awarded funds. The Director of the IEDA makes the final determination as to which applicants will receive grants, and grant amounts. Funds will be disbursed following submission of acceptable documentation that the grantee has paid for costs that are eligible for reimbursement.