Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission

Who We Are & What We Do

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) is a council of governments that delivers a wide range of customized planning, advisory and resource development services to help communities build the future of the Northeast Iowa region. UERPC has become recognized as an ideal vehicle for addressing issues that require a regional perspective, obtaining over $265 million in grant funds since its establishment in November of 1972. 

Website Development Funded By:

  

“Our long-standing partnership with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission has helped foster opportunities and economic security in northeast Iowa. Together, we have created numerous revolving loan funds, and provided funding for technical assistance creating employment opportunities and increasing the quality of life for rural Iowans.

When rural Iowa thrives, the entire state thrives.

USDA Rural Development programs and our partnerships with organizations such as UERPC are catalysts for rural prosperity through a variety of tools and resources we offer that ensure rural families, businesses and communities have the access to the help they need today, and into the future.”

Grant Menke, State Director in Iowa
USDA Rural Development


This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

News Headlines

OPEN HOUSE EVENT: Housing Resource Open House on February 23rd in Decorah

Posted: Thu, February 18, 2021

Increasing access to affordable, quality housing has long been a top priority for the City of Decorah and economic development officials. UERPC has resources that can help low- to moderate-income homeowners maintain their homes.

These two organizations are coming together to provide information about existing and potential future resources to address housing sustainability at a public open house for UERPC Housing resources.

EVENT DETAILS: Tuesday, February 23 5:30-6:30 pm

IN-PERSON: At the Decorah City Council Chambers
**Masks and social distancing are required**

VIRTUAL: Via Zoom
Click here to access Zoom
Meeting ID: 896 1755 1183
Passcode: 116378
(Zoom link can also be accessed through the city website or by emailing nthompson@uerpc.org)

Any member of the public is welcome to attend, though some funding sources may only be available to Decorah homeowners.

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OPEN HOUSE EVENT: Homes for Iowa Open House on February 25th in Oelwein

Posted: Thu, February 18, 2021
OPEN HOUSE

318 7th Street SW, Oelwein
Thurs, Feb. 25, 2021 4 PM – 6PM

The City of Oelwein will be hosting an Open House to showcase their Homes for Iowa house at 318 7th Street SW, Oelwein, IA on February 25, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Tour a home with the Homes for Iowa project. See how the homes are built. Explore how you could develop or own a Homes for Iowa home.

The open house will include tours of the home and conversations with Oelwein City Officials, UERPC representatives and Homes for Iowa board members. No RSVP is required.

The Homes for Iowa house made its way from Newton, IA up to Oelwein, IA in December 2020. The home traveled at 15 mph over the course of two days before arriving in town. Come take a peek at the finished product!

For more information regarding Homes for Iowa, contact UERPC's Rachelle Howe at rhowe@uerpc.org.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Northeast Iowa Housing Summit Taking Place on March 24th

Posted: Thu, February 18, 2021

UERPC and the Northeast Iowa Business Network are hosting the Northeast Iowa Housing Summit for economic development, construction, housing finance, real estate and local government professionals on Wednesday, March 24th. Two virtual sessions will be offered. 


Participants can learn about programs and initiatives from Iowa Finance Authority Staff and the UERPC housing department. Special guest Rick Hunsaker from Region 12 Council of Governments will join the evening session to share how his organization has leveraged local resources and statewide programs to create affordable housing opportunities in rural west-central Iowa.

Topics covered will include:

  • Housing Trust Fund
  • Federal Home Loan Bank programs
  • CDBG housing grants for communities
  • HOME program
  • LIH Tax Credit program
  • Homes for Iowa program (NEW!)
  • Down payment assistance program
  • Housing for veterans

The first session (10:00am-12:00pm) will have information for local government officials and area real estate finance professionals and will cover programs available in Northeast Iowa through UERPC.

The second session (5:00pm-6:00pm) will cover state programs that could benefit local communities.

Anyone working with the field of housing in Northeast Iowa is encouraged to attend one or both of the sessions. Both sessions will be held via Zoom. To RSVP for one or both of the Northeast Iowa Housing Summit sessions, email Katelyn Peterson at kpeterson@uerpc.org.

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Howard County and Upper Iowa Beef Awarded CDBG Funding

Posted: Thu, February 18, 2021

UERPC is thrilled to assist Howard County and Upper Iowa Beef (UIB) with a Career Link Transportation Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in an amount of $109,200. 

This program provides funding to support transportation for individuals to travel to job activities or job education opportunities. Funding is provided through local governments to non-profit transportation service providers for operational expenses (not for purchasing buses or other equipment).

This project will assist UIB, a beef processing plant within Lime Springs, IA, with transportation services. These services will assist low to moderate income persons in obtaining and securing quality employment while at the same time aiding UIB with retaining a high-quality workforce. These CDBG funds will provide the gap financing that is needed now to get this transportation service up and running for the low-income passengers that want to work but cannot afford a vehicle of their own or to travel long commutes in their personal vehicle. 

Thanks goes out to the multiple entities that are invested in and fully support this program:  Howard County Supervisors, Howard County Economic Development, Northeast Iowa Community Action and the City of Lime Springs.

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