Matching Funds Available to West Broadway Business Owners for Beautification

Landscape and signage assistance offered through City-run, Iowa West Foundation-backed program

(Council Bluffs, IA) With Phase I and II of the West Broadway construction complete, and planning for Phase III underway, now is the ideal time for business owners along the corridor to take advantage of the landscape and signage assistance program, according to City officials. Funded through the Iowa West Foundation’s $9 million commitment to the project, the program offers matching funds to business owners looking to improve the aesthetic of their properties from 13th to 36th St.

Business owners along the West Broadway corridor can receive 50 percent matching funds of up to $25,000 for landscaping design and installation. In addition to landscaping, there is also a signage assistance program wherein business owners can receive 50 percent matching funds of up to $15,000 to update their signage.

“This is an extremely unique program,” said Chris Gibbons, Planning Coordinator with the City of Council Bluffs’ Community Development department, “I’m not familiar with any other community in the metro that offers matching grants to business owners for improvements like this. The City is appreciative of the contributing funds to reinvigorate and re-imagine the West Broadway corridor.”

In addition to the funds available through the landscape and signage assistance program, the Foundation contributes more than $500,000 annually to streetscape maintenance on some of the major corridors in Council Bluffs, while the city maintains others.

“Aesthetic improvements of our high traffic corridors are an opportunity to make a positive impression on visitors and serve as a point of pride for residents,” said Pete Tulipana, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “With West Broadway serving as the gateway into our community, we hope business owners will take advantage of the funding available.”

For more information, contact Chris Gibbons at cgibbons@councilbluffs-ia.gov  or 712-256-6942.

About the Iowa West Foundation

The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the Midwest. It has distributed more than $484 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies through southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska since the inception of its grant program. Funding for the grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives contractual fees from casino operators, Ameristar and Harrah’s. IWRA is the license sponsor for Ameristar and Harrah’s and the license holder for Horseshoe-Bluffs Run. The Foundation targets resources into programs and projects that focus on economic development, education, placemaking and healthy families.