Economic Development

Iowa Northland Regional Economic Development Commission

INRCOG supports regional economic development activities through the Iowa Northland Regional Economic Development Commission (INREDC). The INREDC was designated as a Regional Economic Development District by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1990. This designation continues today, allowing the region to secure annual Economic Development Administration funding to advance planning and initiatives that promote economic resiliency, job sustainability and growth. INREDC member include representatives from each of the six counties in the INRCOG region.

Available Services & Programs

Services provided by INRCOG staff which support economic development efforts include planning services, grant writing and technical assistance for local communities, and administration of Revolving Loan Funds. INRCOG also works with the INREDC to secure grants and loans from federal and state agencies for local communities, development groups and expanding businesses.

Planning / Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

INRCOG works with the INREDC to produce the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and annual updates. The purpose of the CEDS is to establish a process for creating jobs, attracting public and private investments, fostering a stable and diversified economy and improving living conditions in the region. The INREDC Board of Directors governs these efforts and INRCOG staffs and supports them. The CEDS is the foundation for advancing the economic development activities which occur throughout the region.

Grants and Technical Assistance

INRCOG staff participates with communities and economic development organizations in the recruitement, expansion and retention of jobs through grant writing and technical assistance. Grant programs most commonly used to provide financial assistance include programs administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the Iowa Department of Transportation, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)

RLF loans are intended to be gap financing for projects that may not qualify for funding through regular channels and are designed to assist eligible businesses with fixed asset acuisition, inventory, and working capital needs. INREDC staff is available to discuss any project prior to completion of the loan application and provide additional guidance. Descriptions and related documents are listed below.

The INREDC's Revolving Loan Fund was established through grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).

Revolving Loan Fund Brochure
Revolving Loan Fund Application Form
Revolving Loan Fund Administrative and Operational Plan

Our Partners

INRCOG coordinates its economic development efforts with a variety of partners. At the local level, each county in the Iowa Northland Region has a lead agency and committee to respond to economic development inquiries. These responses often involve the cooperation and assistance of local banks and community economic development groups.

Iowa Northland Regional Economic Development Commission (INREDC)
The INREDC was designated as a Regional Economic Development District (EDD) by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1990. INREDC is a 28E entity and is managed through a Board of Directors that includes representatives from each of the six counties in the region. This designation continues today, allowing the region to secure annual Economic Development Administration planning assistance to advance initiatives that promote job sustainability and growth. INRCOG works with the INREDC to secure financial assistance in the form of grants and loans from federal and state agencies for local communities, development groups and expanding businesses.

Cedar Valley Regional Partnership
The Cedar Valley Regional Partnership is a combined marketing effort of six counties (Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw and Grundy) which are strategically connected to support businesses, workers and customers.

Grow Cedar Valley
Grow Cedar Valley is a regional economic and community development organization working to increase economic vitality in the Cedar Falls-Waterloo Region and surrounding communities.

Black Hawk Economic Development
BHED crosses county lines to administer various loan programs including the SBA 504 Program, Revolving Loan Program and the Intermediary Relending Program.

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Center for Business Growth and Innovation
UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation provides entrepreneuial training, business planning, market plan development, and e-commerce technical assistance.

Other valuable assistance can be brought to projects through Iowa Waste Reduction Center, UNI's Institute For Decision Making (IDM), and Iowa State's Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS).

Contact

Isaiah Corbin, Director of Development