Building owners in Charles City’s downtown district can apply for up to $100,000 in grant funding assistance for brick-and-mortar projects through the 2025 Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant program.
Any commercial building located within the designated downtown district is eligible, with the exception of churches or government-owned buildings. Grant awards range between $25,000 to $100,000, with a required dollar-for-dollar match by the applicant.
Projects can include exterior and façade improvements, commercial and upper floor interior work, structural repairs and building system upgrades. Ineligible projects include residential use on the first floor of storefront spaces, building demolition or deconstruction, and projects involving public government or religious organizations.
Charles City is one of 55 designated Main Street communities in Iowa able to apply for this grant program, administered locally through Main Street Charles City. Each community can submit only one Challenge Grant application to the State in this competitive grant process.
If there are multiple local projects applying, the Business Improvement Committee of Main Street Charles City will determine which application it believes has the best chance of being selected for funding by the State.
Grant application period opens June 23rd, with submission due to the State by August 27th. Local applications are due in the Main Street Charles City office by 4 pm, Friday, August 22nd. The application to Main Street Iowa must be done through the local Main Street office.
Grant winners will be announced in November.
For more information, contact Main Street Charles City at (641) 228-2335 or email [email protected] if you’re interested in applying. A free visit by a design professional from Main Street Iowa can be arranged to assist in your project planning if requested by July 30th.
