By assisting with grant applications, UERPC helps local governments secure grants and loans from state and federal agencies.  These funds are used to finance priority community improvements and are typically involved in the construction and/or repair of public facilities.  In addition, UERPC often assists local communities by administering grants and loans such as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Economic Development Set Aside (CDBG/EDSA), Public Facility Set Aside (CDBG/PFSA), Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (IDOT-RISE) and USDA - Rural Development programs.  Since 1972, the commission has received over $225 million in Federal and State grants for the Region.

Special Projects

UERPC provides staff assistance in special project areas such as preparing and updating municipal codes, preparing zoning ordinance updates, Urban Revitalization Districts, TIF Districts, programming city capital improvement projects and preparing and updating city maps, including sewer/water, zoning and new subdivisions.

Information Resource

UERPC acts as a service agency and regional resource for our members by conducting workshops and intergovernmental reviews, supplying data information and maintaining a large collection of census data and area-wide maps.

For more information, contact Rachelle Howe.

  *Executive Board Members

The hazard mitigation team works with your community to identify potential risks and how to prevent those risks. This helps make our communities a safer place to live.

By doing this, communities could be eligible for federal and state grant money if a disaster occurs.

For more information, please contact Rachelle Howe or Michelle Barness.

Thank you for submitting your question/comment. If requested, we will reply shortly.

Thank you for submitting your question/comment. If requested, we will reply shortly.

The 2020 Winneshiek County Multi-Jurisdiction Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will be available for review and comment on this webpage at the end of the day January 23^rd, 2020 through February 22^nd, 2020  Please submit your comments using the “Submit a Comment” field below.  Thank you!

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) administers the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I programs in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.  The agency provides employment and training opportunities for low-income individuals and other special groups.  WIOA offers assistance through classroom, pre-employment and on-the-job-training.  The programs offer financial incentives to businesses who participate in on-the-job training.

Decorah Office
312 Winnebago Street
Decorah, IA  52101
Phone:  563-382-0457
FAX:  563-387-0905
Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday - 8:30am - 4:30pm and Wednesday - 9:00am - 4:30pm

The State Code recommends cities to update their code of ordinances every five (5) years. UERPC staff uses a model code that is provided by the Iowa Association of Regional Councils (IARC). Ordinances passed by the city since it last recodified are incorporated into the model as are those ordinances in the city's existing code that do not appear in the model. The process generally takes three to six months to complete.

Iowa Code Section 380.8 requires that "a city shall compile a code of ordinances containing all of the city ordinances in effect, except grade ordinances, bond ordinances, zoning map ordinances, ordinances vacating streets and alleys, and ordinances containing legal descriptions of urban revitalization areas and urban renewal areas."

UERPC will provide ten (10) hard copies along with an electonic copy of the updated ordinance. To request a quote, please contact Aaron Detter or Michelle Barness.

Below is a complete list of services which UERPC provides.  Please contact our office with questions.

The City of Guttenberg's Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation of the community. Guttenberg's plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

The City of Hawkeye's Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation of the community. Hawkeye's plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

So Much to Experience...

Clayton County is located in the beautiful hills of Northeast Iowa, bordering the majestic Mississippi River. Our scenic bluffs and natural beauty combine to provide unlimited recreational activities for visitors during all four seasons of the year...from ice-fishing on the Mississippi in the winter, to hiking trails highlighted by wildflowers in late spring, to canoe trips on our rivers in summer, to the breathtaking fall-foliage of autumn, Clayton County provides visitors with opportunities to experience the beauty of nature!

Our communities are scattered throughout the bluffs of Clayton County, and each has its own unique offerings to visitors who take the time to explore our country roads. We are fortunate to have the State of Iowa designated River & Bluffs Scenic By-Way, as well as the Great River Road located in Clayton County, which both lead visitors through several of these communities. We invite you to explore our communities' Main Street retail stores, gift, and antique shops. From fine dining along the Turkey River or Mississippi River to more unique casual experiences, such as the Gunder-Burger or the World's Largest Tenderloin, Clayton County is home to a wide variety of restaurants. Whether it is tent camping, RV camping, cabins, cottages, hotels, motels, Inns or B & B’s, Clayton County can be your home away from home for a good nights sleep.

From trout fishing, golfing, canoe/kayaking the rivers, exploring the trails, or enjoying a brewery or winery, there is something for everyone in NE IA. 

Towns include Clayton, Elkader (the county seat), Edgewood, Elkport, Farmersburg, Garber, Garnavillo, Guttenberg, Luana, Marquette, McGregor, Monona, North Buena Vista, Osterdock, St. Olaf, Strawberry Point, and Volga.  

Come “Explore the Bounty of Fayette County!” Fayette County offers something for everyone with four seasons of outdoor recreation at any of our beautiful parks, including Volga River Recreation Area.  Springtime offers outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy nature while searching for wildflowers, hunting for mushrooms, or fishing in the sparkling trout streams, the meandering Turkey and Volga Rivers or beautiful Volga Lake.

Spend a summer day visiting one of our many golf courses, camping, picnicking, swimming, kayaking, horseback riding or hiking.  Find a community event nearly every weekend – from Hawkeye Fun Days to Fayette’s Watermelon Days – music, parades, fireworks and family fun abound.

Autumn offers beautiful fall colors.  Enjoy a drive along the River Bluffs Scenic Byway and take in fabulous views, majestic limestone bluffs and small town charm.  In winter, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hunting, ice fishing and skating top the list.  Year round activities include bird watching, performing arts, movies and shopping.  Make a day of it – quilters and junking sisters will find studios, retreats, antiques and repurposed treasures in unique shops and boutiques throughout the county.

History buffs wishing to get a glimpse of the past won’t be disappointed.  Among them are:  Montauk, home of Iowa's 12th governor; the Union Sunday School which houses the country's largest Kimball pipe organ being used for concerts; along with many one-room school houses, magnificent churches, century-old buildings, fascinating cemeteries, unique barns, statues, bridges, the Stone Man, opera houses and numerous museums.

Convenient motels, bed and breakfasts, public and private campgrounds, and many fine restaurants and stores are ready to serve our visitors.  Come be our guest and "Explore the Bounty of Fayette County."

Towns include Arlington, Clermont, Elgin, Fairbank, Fayette, Hawkeye, Maynard, Oelwein, Randalia, St. Lucas, Wadena, Waucoma, Westgate, and West Union (the county seat).

Located along the Upper Iowa River in Northeast Iowa, less than an hour from the Mississippi River is Howard County. Visit the boyhood home and farm of Dr. Norman Borlaug and stop in at the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, not only to see the Fame, but the new 40 foot tall Mural!

Throughout the year visitors and residents alike are able to canoe the Upper Iowa River, explore Lake Hendricks in Riceville, Hayden Prairie, and the Nature Center at Vernon Springs; with miles of bike trails, some of the best snowmobiling and cross country ski trails in the state, bird-watching and hiking in the area. Visit the largest fitness center in the region (indoor pool, track and basketball court, hot tub, and weights), three stunning golf courses, public driving range, excellent hunting and fishing areas and a new trap shooting range. Every city has a festival and a Farmers Market. You are invited to help us celebrate Snowfest in January with over 200 miles of groomed trails (over 400 miles throughout the county) and visit the Howard County Memorial Park featuring the Freedom Rock.

Towns include Chester, Cresco (the county seat), Elma, Lime Springs, Protivin, and Riceville.

A blend of old and new, visitor and resident, tradition and modern, recreation and nature - all of this and more describes Winneshiek County.

The beautiful bluff country near Bluffton offers scenic views of the Upper Iowa River. Visit area trout streams and Siewer's Spring Trout Rearing station near Decorah. Winneshiek County offers tourists hiking, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, and winter sports in addition to museums, festivals and other attractions.

Visit Winneshiek County and discover the timeless beauty of nature, and the blend of tradition and culture. Northeast Iowa Community College at Calmar and Luther College of Decorah demonstrate the cultural diversity of the area as well as offer excellent educational opportunities.

Towns include Burr Oak, Calmar, Castalia, Decorah (the county seat), Ft. Atkinson, Jackson Junction, Ossian, Ridgeway, and Spillville.

UERPC also houses the Regional Housing Authority.  This Section 8 Housing Program is the major effort in assisting lower-income families to live in decent, safe and sanitary housing.  This program provides assistance for low-income families in the private rental market through the HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program.

As you read the annual report, you will notice the staff at UERPC have been busier than ever this year! We expanded almost every program, including: additional housing programs; several new loan funds for businesses; additional planning and grant writing services.

As a team we had our thumb on all the funding opportunities and brought as many new and expanded resources to our members as possible.

We look forward to FY2022 and will always remember the life changing impacts FY2021 had on each of us. Stay healthy and safe and thank you for your support of UERPC!

Upper Explorerland is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons.  Federal and Iowa law prohibits discrimination in hiring due to age, race, color, creed, sex, national origin, religion, disability, or veteran's status. Iowa law also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

UERPC is a nondiscriminatory agency.  Ancillary aids and services will be available upon request for a person with a disability.

As outlined in Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act, the primary goal of the CDBG program is "the development of viable communities, by providing decent housing and suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate incomes." In addition to the national program goals and objectives outlined by this Act, the State designs its CDBG program to do the following:

• to be flexible enough to address community priorities;
• to ensure neutrality and fairness in the treatment of all applications;
• to promote the proper maintenance of owner-occupied housing;
• to assist communities to preserve and develop, in a sustainable manner, basic infrastructure;
• to support economic development activities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons through job training and job creation.

All incorporated cities and all counties in the State, except those designated as HUD entitlement areas, are eligible to apply for and receive funds under this program.  Eligible activities include public facilities (such as water and sewer facilities, and community buildings), housing rehabilitation, economic development and job training. State administrative rules for the program contain a complete listing of eligible activities. At least 70 percent of CDBG funds allocated to local governments will be used for activities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. For these purposes, low and moderate-income persons means they have incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income defined by HUD annually in March.

For more information contact Diana Johnson, Sarah Snitker or Rachelle Howe.

Join the growing number of people in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties working together to create vibrant communities where the healthy choice is the easy choice.

The healthy choice means that every day all people in NE Iowa have access to healthy, locally grown foods and abundant opportunities for physical activity and play.  Food and fitness is important  because no matter where we are, the places where we live, learn, work and play affect our health and quality of life.

For the past ten years, this effort has been a part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Food & Community program.  Food & Community invests in community-driven policy and system change projects to transform our food and fitness systems.  NE Iowa was chosen as one of nine locations across the country for this project. For more information contact Ashley Christensen.

UERPC now offers a wide variety of GIS mapping services. UERPC staff can collect and create geographic data from many sources throughout the region to produce high quality products for your county or city.  Some examples include:

• Parcel base, land use, subdivision, and zoning maps
  
• Water, sewer, and other utility maps
  
• Street and highway maps
  
• Census tract maps
  
• Environmental, housing and location maps
  
• Natural Resources: Recreational trails, flood plains, soils, parks, and conservation maps
  
• Digital aerial photography and topographic maps
  
• District Boundaries: school, political, floodplain, fire, and taxing maps 
• Location One Information Services (LOIS) now gives you the option to import up to ten local GIS custom mapping layers to display assets like industrial parks, school districts, special business or incentive districts, enterprise zones and more.

For more information or map dimension sizes, please contact Michelle Barness.

See sample maps below.

UERPC can also help your community, business or organization with the following graphic services:

• Posters
• Flyers
• Banners
• Brochures
• Newsletters
• Business Cards

Feel free to give Diana Johnson or Rachelle Howe a call for more information and pricing.

The purpose of the Fayette County Local Housing Trust Fund (FCLHTF) is to provide financing to assist in improving the stock of affordable housing within the County. The FCLHTF will consider financial assistance in the form of partial funding or full funding depending on the project and borrower circumstances.  All FCLHTF projects are capped at $10,000.

For more information please contact Sarah Snitker.

Enjoy a visit to Chickasaw County, located in northeast Iowa, where the prairies transition to the rolling hills.  Conveniently located between Rochester, Minnesota and Waterloo, Iowa and not far from the mighty Mississippi River.  We're accessible by US highway 63 and the Avenue of the Saints, and Iowa highways 18 and 24.

Towns include Alta Vista, Fredericksburg, Ionia, Lawler, Nashua, and New Hampton, the county seat.

Below are our current and archived copies of The Explorer. The Explorer is the official newsletter for Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission.

To sign up to receive our monthly newsletter, please click here.

The City of McGregor's Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation of the community. McGregor's plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

The Fayette County's Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members within the county as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation. Fayette County's plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

The City of Cresco's Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation of the community. Cresco's plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

The City of Lime Springs  Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation of the community. Lime Springs plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

The City of Decorah's  Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation of the community. Decorah's plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

The Winneshiek County's Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members within the county as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation. Winneshiek County's plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

The Allamakee County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was created for the purpose to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards.  The seven participating jurisdictions included in this plan are:

• City of Harpers Ferry
• City of Lansing
• City of New Albin
• City of Postville
• City of Waterville
• City of Waukon
• Unincorporated Areas of Allamakee County

In addition, Allamakee Community School District, Eastern Allamakee Community School District, Postville Community School District and Northeast Iowa Community College - Waukon participated in and are covered in the plan.

The Clayton County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was created for the purpose to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards.  The primary participating jurisdictions included in this plan are:

• City of Clayton
• City of Elkader
• City of Elkport
• City of Farmersburg
• City of Garber
• City of Garnavillo
• City of Guttenberg
• City of Luana
• City of Marquette
• City of McGregor
• City of Monona
• City of North Buena Vista
• City of Osterdock
• City of St. Olaf
• City of Strawberry Point
• City of Volga
• Clayton Ridge Community School District
• Central Community School District
• MFL MarMac School District
• Unincorporated Areas of Clayton County

The Fayette County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was created for the purpose to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards.  The 14 participating jurisdictions included in this plan are:

• City of Arlington
• City of Clermont
• City of Elgin
• City of Fayette
• City of Hawkeye
• City of Maynard
• City of Oelwein
• City of Randalia
• City of St. Lucas
• City of Wadena
• City of Waucoma
• City of West Union
• City of Westgate
• Unincorporated Areas of Fayette county

In addition, North Fayette Valley Community School District, Oelwein Community School District, Starmont Community School District, West Central Community School District, and Upper Iowa University participated in and are covered in the plan.

The Howard County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was created for the purpose to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards.  The six participating jurisdictions included in this plan are:

• City of Chester
• City of Cresco
• City of Elma
• City of Lime Springs
• City of Protivin
• Unincorporated Areas of Howard County

Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) - designed to assist in the development, maintenance, and improvement of state and local emergency management capabilities. It provides support to state and local governments to achieve measurable results in key functional areas of emergency management.

Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)  - intended to provide financial and technical assistance as well as national direction and guidance to enhance state, territorial, tribal, and local hazardous materials emergency planning and training. The HMEP grant program distributes fees collected from shippers and carriers of hazardous materials to eligible Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) for hazmat planning and training. HMEP grant funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. HSEMD serves as the administering agency in Iowa for HMEP grants.
 
The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)  - specifically, the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP). The State Homeland Security Program provides assistance to state and local entities to prepare for terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It authorizes purchase of specialized equipment to enhance state and local agencies’ capability in preventing and responding to WMD incidents and other terrorist incidents, and provides funds for protecting critical infrastructure of national importance. This program provides funds for designing, developing, conducting, and evaluating terrorism response exercises; developing and conducting counter-terrorism training programs; and updating and implementing each state’s homeland security strategy. Iowa HSEMD is the administering agency in Iowa for HSGP grants.
 
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs provide funding opportunities both pre- and post-disaster. The two non-disaster grants are the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance program.  The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program provides funds on an annual basis for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects prior to a disaster. The goal of the PDM program is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures, while at the same time, also reducing reliance on Federal funding from actual disaster declarations.  The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program was created to assist States and communities in implementing measures that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). There are three types of FMA grants available to states and communities: planning, project, and management cost grants. FMA grants are part of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs.

There are many organizations, foundations and programs that offer grant opportunities for an assortment of projects but are too numerous to list.  Feel free to contact our office with your project and we will welcome the opportunity to talk with you about what there is to offer.  Contact Rachelle Howe or Diana Johnson for more information.

The Upper Explorerland Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are designed to provide financing to new and expanding small businesses for which credit is not otherwise available on terms and conditions, which permit completion and/or the successful operation of proposed business activities.

Nondiscrimination Statement:
"This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer."

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov."

For more information on this program, please contact Diana Johnson.

Listed below for your reference are acronyms seen throughout correspondence with UERPC that are used to identify various plans, grants, publications, and agencies.

Anytime is a great time to start thinking about your community or organization's short and long term goals.  UERPC has the staff and resources to help your community or group bring great ideas together into a workable and successful action plan.  Planning can take many forms from large projects, such as comprehensive planning and hazard mitigation planning, to smaller facilitation and public engagement projects.  The planning process generally involves (1) data and background information collection; (2) facilitating and compiling stakeholder input and identifying their priorities through a variety of methods including meetings, surveys and focus groups; and (3) creating a final document or action plan.

Examples of plans include:

• Long range comprehensive plans
• Strategic plans for community or nonprofit leadership
• Capital improvement plans
• Riverfront, downtown or other significant district master plans
• Community marketing plans
• Community wellness plans
• Safe Routes to School plans
• Park and recreation plans
• Hazard mitigation Plans
• Housing needs assessments
• Business plans

Taking the time to plan and involve community members leads to projects and activities that are supported by community members!  UERPC can also assist communities with Urban Renewal Plans, Urban Revitalization Plans and City Ordinance updates.

We would be happy to visit with you about our planning and facilitation services, please contact Rachelle Howe or Michelle Barness for more information.

"My reservations about my part in doing a Comprehensive Plan for Hawkeye were put to rest at our first meeting.  Seeing how the whole process is laid out made sense and opened the door to active, interesting and informative meetings.  To bond our team we created a name, Vision Hawkeye, and had T-shirts made.  After that Karla guided us through the process.  Every step showed a purpose and later meetings showed us results. The one thing I was impressed with was the need to have the community all working in the same direction for common goals. The city’s statistics and community input really helped us lay that out.  The final comprehensive plan, and it is comprehensive, is easy to understand and involves all of our local organizations to move Hawkeye in the right direction."

Respectfully,
Leon Dietzenbach, Vision Hawkeye member

To find available housing units or to list your unit for rent, please visit the link below:

The City of Waukon's Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation of the community. Waukon's plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

The Clayton County's Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members within the county as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation. Clayton County's plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389.

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) offers translation services to non-English speaking members of the public who wish to participate in UERPC’s public meetings, programs or other planning activities.

To request translation services, please contact UERPC staff.

Rachelle Howe, Executive Director
563-382-6171 or 563-864-7551
rhowe@uerpc.org

For deaf/hard of hearing use Relay Iowa 711

The Allamakee County comprehensive plan, All in Allamakee, was officially adopted by the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors on May 3, 2021. To view a PDF of the document, please click the link below.

All in Allamakee: Comprehensive Plan for Allamakee County

The participating jurisdictions prepared this local hazard mitigation plan to guide hazard mitigation planning, to better protect the people and property of the participating jurisdictions from the effect of hazards, and serves as a tool to help decision makers direct mitigation activities and resources.

Allamakee County is tucked away in the extreme Northeast corner of Iowa.  Discover Allamakee County up close at the newly constructed Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center just south of Lansing. Continue your scenic adventure to Effigy Mounds National Monument (80,000+ visitors/year), Yellow River State Forest (9,000 acres), Driftless Area Scenic Byway (voted #1 most scenic in the state), and Great River Road (36.2 miles of amazing)! History and nature blend into beautiful parks and recreation in Allamakee County. A four-season paradise, sports enthusiasts will love the beautiful canoeing along the Upper Iowa, Yellow and Mississippi Rivers. Several trout streams are well stocked with popular game fish. Horseback riding, hiking and camping round out the warm weather months. Autumn months bring about hunting seasons for popular game such as turkey, pheasant, partridge and deer. Cross country skiing and snowmobiling are winter sports made for this area. The drive through the area is scenic whatever season you visit.

Towns include Harpers Ferry, Lansing, New Albin, Postville, Waterville, and Waukon.

"Active Living" means to integrate physical activity, such as walking and other active body movements, into our daily routine. Being physically active positively impacts our health, our community and our environment. From trails to parks to bluffs and beyond, Northeast Iowa provides an exceptional environment for physical activity.

The Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative's (FFI) Active Living Work Group aims to increase use of Northeast Iowa's natural and built environment by encouraging people of all ages and abilities to be active outdoors. The Active Living Work Group is made up of key individuals from multiple sectors working together to make the group's strategy a reality:  parks and natural resources, city engineering, physical therapy, county conservation, trail enthusiasts, public health, community and transportation planning and Safe Routes to School.

As the core partner invested in FFI's Active Living and Safe Routes to School efforts, UERPC convenes the Active Living Work Group. The work group meets quarterly and always welcomes new members! Please contact Ashley Christensen to learn more.

La Comisión de Planificación Regional de Upper Explorerland (UERPC) ofrece servicios de traducción a miembros del público que no hablan inglés y que desean participar en las reuniones públicas, programas u otras actividades de planificación de la UERPC.

Para solicitar servicios de traducción, póngase en contacto con el personal de UERPC.

Rachelle Howe, Directora Ejecutiva
563-382-6171 o 563-864-7551
rhowe@uerpc.org

Eligibility for a rental voucher is determined by the local Housing Authority based on the total annual gross income and family size and is limited to U.S. citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.  Income guidelines and rent limitations are available at the local housing authority office in Decorah (325 Washington Street).

The assistance is available for low-income households in Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.  Families making application will be placed on a wait list.  Households will pay at least 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards their rent.

Anyone interested or wanting further information should contact the Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority at 563-864-7551, Ext. 106.

It is illegal to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.  We are an Equal Housing Opportunity Organization.

Income guidelines are posted in the below brochures and are effective January 1st, 2021: 

Applications for assistance are taken in person on MONDAYS at our Postville office:  134 West Greene Street from 8 am to noon and 12:30-3:30 pm.

If you are aged 62 or disabled/handicapped, please call our office for a reasonable accommodation.

Applications will be placed on a waiting list.

If you are interested in more information, please feel free to contact the Housing Authority at:

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission
325 Washington Street
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone:  563-864-7551
FAX:  563-382-6311

Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative is an active participant in economic development for northeast Iowa. Through partnerships with Dairyland Power Cooperative and USDA Rural Development, as well as our own revolving loan fund, we provide financial assistance for retention and expansion of existing businesses as well as attracting new businesses to our area. Eligible projects must be located within the outer boundaries of the Cooperative's service territory.

• ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
  • Josh Dreps- New Albin
  • *Dan Byrnes- County
  • Gayle Decker- Waukon
  • Mary Engstrom- Postville
  • VACANT- Lansing

• CLAYTON COUNTY
  • Denise Schneider- Guttenberg
  • Bonnie Basemann- Marquette
  • Ray Peterson- County
  • VACANT- Clayton
  • *Charles Carroll- McGregor
  • VACANT- Elkader
  • Bernard Peterson- Garnavillo
  • Randee Koenig- Monona
  • Mike Tucker- Strawberry Point

• FAYETTE COUNTY
  • VACANT- County
  • Mark Schmitt- Waucoma
  • Susan Scott- Fayette
  • *Steve Roach- West Union
  • Warren Fisk- Oelwein
  • VACANT- Arlington

• HOWARD COUNTY
  • Joe Pisney- County
  • Shannon Gebel- Elma
  • *Jason Passmore (Chair)- Chester
  • Jane Tibbals- Lime Springs
  • Amy Bouska- Cresco
  • Crystal Reddel- Riceville

• WINNESHIEK COUNTY
  • Joyce Bakewell- Ossian
  • *Michelle Elsbernd (Vice Chair)- County
  • Sheila Bullerman- Calmar
  • Maryann Humpal- Decorah

*Board of Directors

Chair- Jason Passmore

Vice Chair- Michele Elsbernd

USDA assists regions in creating self-sustaining, long-term economic development in rural areas through visioning and strategic planning. They provides communities seeking information on USDA Rural Development and other federal community and economic development programs. USDA promotes partnerships at the local and state levels to assist communities in advancing their strategic or economic development plans.They also promote coordinated planning among Rural Development programs to address specific projects in a community or regional strategic plan. USDA grant programs include:

Community Facilities - To fund the development of essential community facilities for public use in rural areas and may include hospitals, fire protection, safety, as well as many other community-based initiatives

Rural Business Development Grants - The RBDG program is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas which will employ 50 or fewer new employees and has less than $1 million in gross revenue. Programmatic activities are separated into enterprise or opportunity type grant activities.

Contact Rachelle Howe for more information on USDA grant opportunities.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) was established under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 3121), as amended, to generate jobs, help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas of the United States. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas of the Nation experiencing high unemployment, low income, or other severe economic distress. In fulfilling its mission, EDA is guided by the basic principle that distressed communities must be empowered to develop and implement their own economic development and revitalization strategies. Based on these locally- and regionally-developed priorities, EDA works in partnership with state and local governments, regional economic development districts, public and private nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes. EDA helps distressed communities address problems associated with long-term economic distress, as well as sudden and severe economic dislocations including recovering from the economic impacts of natural disasters, the closure of military installations and other Federal facilities, changing trade patterns, and the depletion of natural resources.

For more information on EDA grant opportunities, contact Rachelle Howe.

The Turkey River Recreational Corridor, one of Iowa's Great Places; links the communities of Clermont, Elgin and Elkader in Fayette and Clayton Counties.

All of these communities share the special scenic beauty of the Turkey River Corridor, surrounded by rolling hills, abundant wildlife and outstanding recreational opportunities. These communities are also linked in a common mission to develop and enhance the existing natural resource base of the Turkey River Recreational Corridor through the creation of land and water trails to serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development.

The Turkey River Water Trail became a state-designated water trail in July 2011 with numerous access points throughout both Fayette and Clayton counties. The Corridor has some of the best camping facilities in Northeast Iowa. With spots for primitive tent camping to full RV hook-ups, many of the campgrounds offer multi-use trails, water sports, and more.

For more information on the Corridor, please contact Robin Bostrom, Program Director at 563-422-3070.

Allamakee County Economic Development is a nonprofit, county-wide economic development corporation focused on expanding the economic growth of the county. Its primary emphasis is to enhance existing economic development efforts in Allamakee County through retention and expansion of existing business and industry, tourism marketing and coordination, housing need assessment and development, and the recruitment of new business and industry by providing assistance and referrals. Allamakee County Economic Development is available to help with educational sessions, marketing efforts, grant writing, financial research and development assistance.

For more information, click below.

The mission of the Clayton County Development Group is to enhance the opportunities for the creation of wealth for the citizens of Clayton County, Iowa through the promotion of Agriculture, Industry & Tourism; build strong profitable economic businesses through cooperation and education; create a destination for quality recreation and tourism and provide a quality of life that promotes public investment.

For more information, click below.

The Fayette County Economic Development Commission (FCEDC) is a nonprofit (28E) countywide economic development corporation. The primary purpose of FCEDC is to enhance job opportunities for the citizens of the Fayette County area. FCEDC will initiate and assist in activities involving the retention and expansion of existing employers along with the attraction of new employers and entrepreneurs. Further, the organization will assist in efforts to expand the capabilities of the county's workforce and seek to assist with individual community development efforts.

For more information, click below.

Here in Howard County, we understand that business and industry is the livelihood of any economy, which is why we make it easier for businesses to succeed. With lower business costs, construction ready sites, an expanding community with unquestionable growth potential, a skilled workforce, and industry initiatives designed to stimulate growth, innovation and profits, we are here to develop and grow new and existing businesses, promote community involvement, encourage business alliances, promote and increase tourism. And, as a Home Based Iowa community, Howard County connects people to jobs and offers a great quality of life.

Howard County Business & Tourism (HCBT) is an umbrella organization representing Howard County Economic Development, Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce, Howard County Tourism, and the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation. The offices of HCBT are housed within the Cresco Welcome Center and are also home to the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.

For more information, click below.

Winneshiek County Development, Inc. is here to assist all types of businesses and to help support communities within Winneshiek County. Whether working with large expansions or new start-ups, Winneshiek County Development has the tools needed for all business types. Located in Decorah, Iowa, in the heart of Winneshiek County, Winneshiek County Development seeks to be the leaders in creating an environment for collaborative success, supporting new and existing businesses for long-term resiliency, community vitality, and providing a higher quality of life for all.

For more information, click below.

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) was formally established in November of 1972.  UERPC was created to promote regional cooperation and meet the planning and economic development needs of local governments in the five NE Iowa counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek.

• Providing technical assistance, information resources, and administrative services for local infrastructure projects and community facility projects to make communities a better place to live
• Assisting with grants, providing loans and local financing tools to develop and preserve quality, affordable housing
• Serving as the Economic Development District for the Region to stimulate economic growth through comprehensive loan programs, assisting with business plans, and financial packaging structured to meet the size and needs of individual businesses
• Providing an extensive on-going cooperative planning effort to improve transportation needs of the area and assisting with regional transit planning to promote transit programs that further the development of the state's public transportation systems
• Providing training and support assistance to low-income individuals, dislocated workers, and youth through classroom, pre-employment and on-the-job training programs
• Providing assistance to low-income families with decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private rental market
• Facilitating access to employment and services for Iowa job seekers with disabilities
• Providing technical assistance on land use planning, zoning, sub-division regulations, and local government financing
• Providing assistance in updating city ordinances and conducting requested needs assessments to determine local housing demand
• Providing information on historic preservation, recreation planning, downtown revitalization, and urban renewal special taxation districts.

The work accomplished by this Agency is spoken of highly by city council members, community leaders, home and business owners, and others who have received their assistance and benefited greatly from it.

For more information or a tour of the facilities, feel free to contact us at (563)-382-6171.

Disaster grants are only received following a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

Public Assistance program - FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations with the response to and recovery from disasters. The program provides funding for debris removal, implementation of emergency protective measures and permanent restoration of infrastructure. The program also encourages protection from future damage by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process. The state works with FEMA to manage the program and administer the funding.
 
Hazard Mitigation funding also becomes available when a Presidential Disaster Declaration is made. Eligible applicants of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), part of HMA (see above), include state agencies and local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations (PNPs) according to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Section 206.221 (e). The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 also requires that a FEMA-approved local hazard mitigation plan be in place prior to FEMA awarding HMGP project funds.

For more information, contact Aaron Detter or Michelle Barness. For additional information on FEMA’s grant programs, visit Iowa Homeland Security.

UERPC recently completed Safe Routes to School (SRTS) planning documents for community school districts within our five-county service area (Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek). These plans serve as a supporting document to the extensive SRTS education and encouragement efforts already taking place throughout the region.

To learn more about services offered by Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, please contact us at 563-382-6171 or stop in at 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

For assistance for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, please use Relay Iowa 711. 
Para asistencia de personas sordos o personas con problemas de audición, por favor de utilizar Relay Iowa 711.

REGISTER NOW for SPRING Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day 2022! Happening on Wednesday, May 4th (or really any day you want it to be!!).

Click here to learn more

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Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is an international movement to encourage active school travel and safe community routes. Northeast Iowa is home to the state's first rural, regional SRTS program, managed by UERPC. 

• Walking and Biking School Buses or Clubs. A fun, safe and active way for students to travel to school with responsible supervisors.
• Bike Safety Lessons. In-class instruction to provide students with the knowledge, skills and practice for becoming smart, safe bike riders and pedestrians.
• Bike Rodeo Supplies. Schools and communities can utilize UERPC's Bike Safety Kit for hosting their own bike safety event. 
• SRTS Community Coalitions. School and community advocates join forces to build SRTS efforts to support local safety measures.

SRTS is the answer to creating a better world for our children, our school, our communities and ourselves.  Join the SRTS effort today by contacting April Bril at 563-382-6171 or abril@uerpc.org.

+No Pets - No Smoking

+Coin-operated Laundry

+Free Water/Sewage/Garbage

Calmar – 602, 604 Hwy 24 (Winneshiek County)

1 Bedroom - $375

2 Bedroom - $425

Postville – 275 E Greene Street (Allamakee County)

1 Bedroom - $425

2 Bedroom - $475

Visit this link (www.socialserve.com) to learn more about our apartments, including availability, photos and other general information:

• Under "For Rent", click on "Iowa"
• Search for the county name (Winneshiek or Allamakee)
• Then click on the community name (Calmar or Postville)
• Scroll until you locate the specific apartment address

 For more information contact Lori Quam at lquam@uerpc.org or 563-864-7551.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Return applications by hand or mail to:

                                UERPC - Housing Inc.

                                Attn: Lori Quam

                                325 Washington Street

                                Decorah, IA 52101

The UERPC Homeowner Rehabilitation Program is funded by the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB). The funds will be used to assist households with homeowner rehabilitation under 80% of the HUD guidelines and the funds will be geared towards elderly and special needs clients. The individual with the special needs is not required to be the head of household. This program can assist households within Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties.

The following cities were awarded grant funding through to assist six low to moderate income homeowners with rehabilitating their homes. Each city program is for three years where applicants get awarded on a first come first serve basis. If six applicants are not selected within the first application period, then UERPC will take applications at any time within the program years. Applicants property cannot be in the 100-year floodplain, must be up to date on utility bills, and have current homeowners insurance.

Beginning July 1st, 2020, the City of Oelwein will begin offering residents a new funding source to finance needed home repairs and improve residential neighborhoods and livability of single-family homes. The Home Rehabilitation Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program provides low interest loans to residents meeting eligibility criteria.

The City recognizes the entire community benefits when everyone has stable, decent, and affordable housing. The intent of this program is to expand on existing efforts targeting low income households by offering the same opportunities to residents across a broader range of socio-economic statuses. Residents with up to 150% of the MHI for Fayette County are eligible to apply for assistance.

Establishing a dedicated, self-funded program provides greater stability and flexibility to successfully grow a community and meet the housing needs of its current and future residents. This freedom will allow tailoring of the program to the exact needs of the City of Oelwein.

The minimum loan amount is $1,000 and the maximum amount is $15,000. Interest rates range from one to four percent. Homeowners with household income greater than 100% of the Fayette County median income will be required to provide matching funds of 10-25% of total project costs. Both interest rate and match funds are determined by household size and income level.

UERPC will administer the program on behalf of the City. Applications will be accepted by UERPC on a continuous basis. Applications can be obtained at the Upper Explorerland Office at 325 Washington Street in Decorah, at City Hall, or by phone at 563-864-7551. You can also obtain an application online at www.uerpc.org or www.cityofoelwein.org.

Interested parties should contact Carrie Courtney with UERPC at 563-864-7551 with any questions or to be sent an application packet.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Monthly Motivators are a fun way to help inspire kids, your community, and yourself to get out and walk or bike!

Feel free to include the Monthly Motivator in your own newsletter or on social media. If you have ideas or suggestions on how to improve the Monthly Motivator send us an email: abril@uerpc.org or achristensen@uerpc.org. 

SRTS Monthly Motivators are collaboratively created by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Iowa Safe Routes to School, Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC).

UERPC and the Northeast Iowa Business Network hosted the Northeast Iowa Housing Summit for economic development, construction, housing finance, real estate and local government professionals on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021. Two virtual sessions were offered. 

Participants learned about programs and initiatives from Iowa Finance Authority Staff and the UERPC housing department. Special guest Rick Hunsaker from Region 12 Council of Governments joined 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 included:

• 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

Session recordings can be found below.

Housing Summit Meeting 1.mp4

Housing Summit Meeting 2.mp4

Services are provided to job-seekers, employers, and partners through one-stop centers designed to deliver quality career services that assist individuals in finding employment leading to self-sufficiency and assist employers in locating the skilled workforce they need. Services include career planning and counseling; skills assessment; job search and placement assistance; workforce preparation; training opportunities; and referrals to other programs.

The program emphasis is serving out-of-school youth and helping them achieve their educational and employment goals. Services include: work experiences including internships and job shadowing; tutoring, study skills training, and drop-out prevention strategies; occupational skill training; alternative secondary school offerings and drop-out recovery services; comprehensive guidance and counseling; integrated education and occupational training; financial literacy education; entrepreneurial skills training; leadership development activities; supportive services; adult mentoring; follow-up services; post-secondary preparation; and labor market information.

UERPC serves as the Economic Development District for Northeast Iowa and has become the leader in stimulating economic growth.  UERPC provides the technical assistance necessary to develop comprehensive loan packages, business plans and financial packaging structured to meet the size and needs of each individual business.  UERPC has a $2,250,000 regional loan pool for business expansion and new start-up businesses.  In 1997, UERPC was designated as an SBA 504 Associate Development Company.  With this designation, the Commission has another long-term financing program available for area businesses.

Our services include:

• Small Business Loans up to $150,000
• SBA 504 Financing
• Urban Renewal Plans for Tax Increment Financing
• Urban Revitalization Plans for Tax Abatement
• EDSA, CEBA and PFSA grant writing for state business assistance
• Regional Economic Development Coordination
• IowaMicroloan

For more information, contact Rachelle Howe or Diana Johnson.

The TIP is an annual document that describes the federally funded projects and activities that are programmed for the RPA-1 region in the next four years. It is a fiscally constrained plan that identifies the use of federal funds in highway, bridge, walking, bicycling, and transit projects. The projects identified within this document may receive federal funding from a number of different sources which are distributed through a variety of methods, some through formula, others are discretionary (earmarked), and some by a competitive granting process. 

Once approved, the RPA-1 TIP is included in the Iowa Department of Transportation's Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

The goal of this project is to identify, prioritize and assess Brownfields properties and to conduct cleanup planning for the sustainable redevelopment of contaminated properties.  Brownfield sites can include residential, commercial or industrial parcels of land. 

Many communities served by UERPC have utilized the Brownfields Assessment Grants to return properties exhibiting signs of potential contamination back to a productive reuse.  This process helps communities achieve many benefits.  Contact Rachelle Howe for more information.

Alliant Energy appreciates and values the partnership and opportunity to do business with suppliers, dealers and customer-owned electric generators. Alliant Energy also has an active economic development group that supports and pursues business investment in the communities Alliant serves.

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 $276 million in grant funds since its establishment in November of 1972. 

“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

"The partnership with Upper Explorerland and the Oelwein Chamber & Area Development is of great value to our organization, as well as the community of Oelwein. The various programs they provide are very useful to the community, a great benefit to our residents and businesses.

Our local Revolving Loan Fund, being administered by UERPC, has prospered and helped fund many businesses in our community. The professional manner they do the administering of the funds and working with committee members is outstanding. The follow up procedures for annual reporting is outstanding as well.

The Oelwein Chamber & Area Development is proud to partner with UERPC for the many services they provide us. We look forward to working with them for many years to come."

Deb Howard, Executive Director
Oelwein Chamber & Area Development

"Working with Upper Explorerland has been beneficial for the City of Oelwein. Their employees are a great resource and help Oelwein in many areas. We have used Upper Exploreralnd for assistance in our goals for City Council, transportation planning, and administration of our Intermediary Revolving Loan Fund. We have such a positive relationship, it is like they are a staff member for the city. "

Dylan Mulfinger, City Administrator
City of Oelwein

"Upper Explorerland is a valuable resource and partner for our communities.  I experienced first hand their professionalism when UERPC led and facilitated the hazard mitigation planning for communities in Winneshiek County.  They brought various stakeholders to the table, listened to all input, and helped to synthesize an appropriate plan.  It was worth the time working side by side with UERPC.

 Recently, I attended the Food & Fitness Initiative event for NE Iowa and UERPC was well represented.  Their commitment to serve our communities is demonstrated through words and actions.  Their willingness to be a partner allows us to tap their expertise.  Whenever I am invited to participate in an UERPC sponsored event, I give it serious consideration given their track record of service and partnership."

Liang Chee Wee, Ph.D., President
Northeast Iowa Community College

"I would like to say a special thank you to the staff at UERPC. The help they have given the city with their SRF filing, well grant application and housing rehabilitation program has been great. It has been so nice having this resource with the expertise and knowledge they have, to help with all of these processes and to help make the projects run so smoothly."

Tammy Humble, City Administrator
City of Luana, Iowa

"Thank you Shelly and everyone at Upper Explorerland for your hard work in developing the RCDI application and then facing those gruesome federal forms and submission.  Your partnership is highly valued!"

In the spirit of NE Iowa service,
M. J. Smith, Director of Affiliate Foundations
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

"Rachelle- Just wanted to say thank you one more time for your assistance in the Community and Regional Planning mock interviews last semester. My best estimate is that over 50 planning professionals and friends of the department assisted in some fashion with delivering the CRP 331 Planning Professional Seminar last semester. The roles provided through this assistance included guest lectures, professional planning panels, student mentors and mock interviewers. The students—more than once—expressed their appreciation for all this help in not only giving them a better perspective of as how to obtain employment in the planning profession, but also a sense of what lies ahead post-graduation. 

I’ve always felt that you and Upper Explorerland present an excellent model for our students interested in rural planning, especially to our women students seeking ideas and models for their career. "

Tim Borch
Associate Professor, Retired Associate Dean, Iowa State University

UERPC serves as the fiscal agent for the below programs and groups.  We can help your organization with the financial management of your grant programs and assist with reporting requirements.  Please contact Rachelle Howe for more information.

• City of Elgin Revolving Loan Fund program
• City of Fayette Revoling Loan Fund program
• City of Oelwein Revolving Loan Fund program
• HAWC Revolving Loan Fund program
• Northeast Iowa Business Network (NIBN)
• Winneshiek County Community Foundation
• Northeast Iowa Clerk's Association

AIM2WIN is a regional action plan and is defined by its shared demographics and economic challenges, its common labor shed as well as its service to the health care and manufacturing industries.  AIM2WIN is supporting regionalism, innovation and entrepreneurship as well as advancing business clusters with significant export potential.

The project is described as the AIM2WIN Region and encompasses the tri-state area of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin which includes 27 counties all intersected by the upper Mississippi River.  This is a three-state initiative including the states of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  
The scope of work within the plan includes five key economic development goals and several strategies.

Upper Explorerland established a Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund for Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties. The Housing Assistance Plan has been approved for certification from the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). The goal is to develop, redevelop, rehabilitate, and renovate single-family and/or multi-family owner-occupied and rental dwellings. This will be to render assistance to economically and socially disadvantaged persons in Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties. It will possibly fund: roof repair, furnace repair and replacement, energy efficiency updates, electrical and plumbing, handicap accessibility, homebuyer assistance, etc. Funding limits are set at $10,000 per project including 1st time homebuyers.

The Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund sponsors FREE Green Iowa Home Energy Assessments for low-moderate income single family homes.

Go to https://energydistrict.org/services/home-efficiency-program/ to see if you qualify.

For more information please contact Carrie Courtney at ccourtney@uerpc.org.

• City of Arlington
• City of Maynard
• City of Oelwein
• Fayette County Supervisors

 2018 Mitigation Actions by Jurisdiction

The Derelict Building Program is available for Iowa towns of 5,000 or fewer residents’  to address neglected commercial or public structures that have sat vacant for at least 6 months. 

FY20 application deadline is February 20, 2020 for applicants who are seeking funding assistance with conducting asbestos inspections, asbestos abatement, structural engineering analysis, phase I and phase II site assessments, building deconstruction and building renovation expenses. Contact Michelle Barness for more information. 

*Not Taking Applications at this Time*

Complete our Eligibility Explorer at www.iowaworks.gov:

1. Sign in with your username and password (or create one if you don't have one)
2. On the top of the screen, click on “My Dashboard”
3. Within the "Community Services and Benefits" section, click on "Eligibility Explorer"
4. Proceed through the pre-application by answering the questions until you get to the "Finish" page

Complete our Eligibility Explorer at www.iowaworks.gov:

1. Sign in with your username and password (or create one if you don't have one)
2. On the top of the screen, click on “My Dashboard”
3. Within the "Community Services and Benefits" section, click on "Eligibility Explorer"
4. Proceed through the pre-application by answering the questions until you get to the "Finish" page

This workbook is intended to serve as a toolkit — with resources and references for traditional partners. The toolkit, however, is not all-inclusive. There will be partners in your community or your region who may need to be included or engaged. That’s part of the planning process — identifying those entities that need to be at the table, both now and at times of crisis.

The toolkit is also aligned in such a way that you can go directly to key areas of interest, from money to management to marketing. It can also be taken as a whole — a blueprint for action.

Laborshed studies are supply-side, labor availability studies. They provide community leaders, economic developers, site selectors and existing or prospective employers a flexible tool for understanding the workforce characteristics of their local labor market.

A Laborshed is defined as the area or region from which an employment center draws its commuting workers. It shows the distribution of these workers regardless of political boundaries.  Laborshed studies also address underemployment, availability of labor and likeliness of the employed or not employed to change or accept employment. Other topics covered within a Laborshed analysis include: current and desired occupations, wages, hours worked, job search resources and distance willing to commute to work. For more information regarding survey methodology please visit the Laborshed Survey Methodology or the Laborshed Studies Homepage. 

In Progress.

In Progress.

In Progress.

Fayette County Comprehensive Plan (including the Cities of Fayette, Oelwein and West Union) FINAL

Office hours are Monday-Thursday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and Friday from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm.

UERPC offices will be closed for the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• President's Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
  
• Thanksgiving (and Friday)
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
  

Transportation Planning Work Program annually outlines the transportation planning activities each RPA will undertake for the next fiscal year.

Black Hills Energy is a Black Hills Corporation company that provides electric and natural gas service to over 600,000 customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.  We partner to produce results that improve life with energy.

Each entity below also offers a revolving loan fund option for start-up or existing businesses.  Additional funds can be utilized for the purchase of real estate, construction, building rehabilitation and much more.  For more information, see applications below or contact your local economic development office.

Those goals include:

• Expand resources to foster entrepreneurship
• Close the near term skills gap
• Enhance the pipeline of young talent
• Spur innovation through the connection of existing businesses
• Build and integrate leadership within the region

See map for counties included in this group.  For more information on the AIM2WIN initiative, contact Rachelle Howe.

Plan Implementation and Maintenance

Bank of the West

Allamakee County

• Allamakee County Supervisors
• City of Postville
• City of Waukon
• Freedom Bank

Clayton County

• Clayton County Supervisors
• City of Guttenberg
• City of Marquette
• City of McGregor
• City of Monona

Fayette County

• Fayette County Supervisors
• City of Clermont
• City of Fayette
• City of Maynard
• City of Oelwein
• City of West Union

Howard County

• Howard County Supervisors
• City of Cresco

Winneshiek County

• Winneshiek County Supervisors
• City of Ossian
• City of Decorah
• City of Calmar
• City of Fort Atkinson

Return applications by hand or mail to:

     Upper Explorerland RPC (UERPC)

     Attn: Carrie Courtney

     325 Washington Street

     Decorah, IA 52101

The State of Iowa has $21 Million in CARES Act funding available for communities under 50,000 through the newly established Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) grant program.  All activities funded through this program must:

• Prevent, prepare for, or respond to COVID-19.
• Meet the national objectives of either benefitting Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) persons or preventing or eliminating slum and blight.
• Be an eligible activity, including:
  • Public Facilities / public spaces
  • Public Wifi / broadband access
  • Microenterprise assistance (5 or fewer employees including owner)
  • Housing Conversion
  • Commercial façade improvements
  • Food bank / food program assistance
  • Daycare assistance

Governments are eligible to apply. Please reach out to UERPC’s Diana Johnson for assistance if you think this grant could benefit your community:  djohnson@uerpc.org / 563.419.6104.

Stay tuned for the dates of upcoming community visioning and goal setting meetings!

As part of the The Northeast Iowa Business Network (NIBN)'s grant with the U.S. Department of
Commerce and contract with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO)’s
Community and Economic Development (CED) program, an action planning session was performed to
examine themes drawn out from the primary and secondary data studies generated by ISUEO
CED. The process included visioning, identifying priorities, and strategic planning. Jane
Goeken and Eric Christianson, ISUEO community development specialists, agreed to organize
and facilitate a process that involved the following steps:

1. Conduct a visioning and action planning session with stakeholders.
2. Preparation of a final report including:
   • Participants’ vision for the Northeast Iowa area
   • Environmental scan
   • Development of a timeline and identification of a “champion” for each action step

In addition, other regional Field Specialists were tapped to review the data and action plan and
make further recommendations on similar programs and potential resources that may be of
interest to the NIBN group. Those recommendations are included in this report.

The Passenger Transportation Plan is a document that is developed to serve as a mobility management tool to help meet the specific passenger transportation needs of the region and further the development of the local and regional public transportation system. As of previous federal transportation legislation (MAP-21), annual updates will no longer be required. The PTP will undergo a full update every five years.

*Not Taking Applications at this Time*

https://arcg.is/0LSv81

Check back for survey results!

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for conserving and enhancing Iowa's natural resources. The DNR's mission: To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for future generations.

*Not Taking Applications at this Time*

Coming soon!

The Public Participation Plan's outline in detail the process each RPA will follow to adequately involve the public in their transportation planning activities.

The Iowa Department of Transportation advocates and delivers transportation services that support the economic, environmental and social vitality of Iowa.

FEMA supports citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. The range of FEMA's activities is broad and spans the life cycle of disasters.

Goodwill® inspires hope and self-confidence, helping people from all backgrounds and walks of life to feel successful, valuable and dignified. Goodwill Industries International enhances the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.

*Not Taking Applications at this Time*

RPA-1’s Long-Range, Multimodal Transportation Plan, Safe Mobility for Everyone, has a planning horizon year of 2045—25 years counted from the year of adoption and rounded up by one year to reach a decade midpoint. The plan is intended to guide transportation investments and policy in the five-county region in support of a transportation system that is safe for all users and modes, and that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods. The plan includes a description of the region's existing conditions; identifies current transportation challenges; anticipates potential future needs; and explores various strategies for addressing those challenges and needs. The plan identifies short-term and long-term projects and policy goals and discusses potential funding sources to aid in achieving the goals of the plan. This document also serves as a source of information for local decisionmakers and elected officials of the region.

The RPA-1 Transportation Policy Board adoped Safe Mobility for Everyone as the region’s official, long-range, multimodal transportation plan via resolution on September 19, 2019.

Hard copies of Safe Mobility for Everyone are available for reference at both UERPC office locations, as well as the following public libraries in our region: Waukon, New Albin, Lansing, Elkader, Strawberry Point, Oelwein, Fayette, West Union, Ossian, Calmar, Guttenberg, and Cresco.

Created more than thirty years ago by visionary public leaders, Iowa Councils of Governments (COGs) provide professional planning, programming, and technical assistance to Iowa's cities, counties, businesses, community organizations and Iowans of all ages.

Qualified applications will be pending awarded grant funds.

Notifying the Public of Rights Under Title VI
UPPER EXPLORERLAND REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION – RPA-1

RPA-1 operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with RPA-1.

For more information on RPA-1’s civil rights program, and the procedures to file a complaint, review the “FTA Title VI Program – RPA-1” document below; call 563-382-6171 or 563-382-6311 (for deaf/hard of hearing use Relay Iowa 711); email rhowe@uerpc.org; or visit our administrative offices at 325 Washington Street, Decorah, Iowa or 134 Greene Street, Postville, Iowa.

A complainant may file a complaint directly with the RPA by filing a complaint form with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, 325 Washington Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101; or 134 West Greene Street, Postville, Iowa 56162, 563-382-6171 or 563-864-7551, rhowe@uerpc.org.

A complaint may also be filed with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590; or with Iowa Department of Transportation, Office of Employee Services – Civil Rights, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010, 515-239-1422, dot.civilrights@dot.iowa.gov.

If information is needed in another language, RPA-1 utilizes Language Services Associates.

Qualified applications will be pending awarded grant funds.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority strengthens economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business.

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) was established in 1975 to undertake programs to assist in the attainment of housing for low- and moderate-income Iowans. Since then, IFA's role has expanded considerably and includes four primary areas of responsibility.

Farmers teach others about Iowa's most precious natural resource. ISU Extension and Outreach helps Iowans appreciate and take care of our land. This makes Iowa a great place to live today and tomorrow.

ITC Midwest, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., the nation's largest independent electricity transmission company. ITC Midwest operates more than 6,800 circuit miles of transmission lines in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri. The company is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and maintains operating locations at Dubuque, Iowa City and Perry, Iowa; and Albert Lea and Lakefield, Minnesota.

Located in the small northeast Iowa town of Decorah, Luther College is an undergraduate liberal arts institution of about 2,500 students. The college is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Founded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther offers more than 60 majors and preprofessional and certificate programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree.

Northeast Iowa Community College provides accessible, affordable, quality education and training to meet the needs of our communities. The Northeast Iowa Community College educational community will live the values of service, respect, innovation, stewardship and integrity within a culture of continuous improvement.

The Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative has brought people in northeast Iowa together to make our region a place where every day, all people have access to healthy, locally grown foods and abundant opportunities for physical activity in the places where we live, learn, work and play.

Tri-County Electric is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving counties in Minnesota as well as portions of Howard, Winneshiek and Allamakee counties in Iowa. The cooperative was founded in 1936 when power was not available to rural residents. Local citizens banded together to build lines going out to their homes and farms. Those people created a company that has prospered while providing its members with competitive electric rates and expanded services for 75 years.

Since 1857, Upper Iowa University has been preparing students to succeed—in the classroom and in the world. That rich history, coupled with a student-centered mission, has created a springboard for UIU to become a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study.

USDA Rural Development offers a variety of funding programs: no-down-payment home loan opportunities, loans and grants to assist business owners make energy-efficiency improvements, loans and grants to help communities improve local facilities, infrastructure and services, grants to support locally produced agriculture and loan guarantees to assist with business start-up and expansion.

HUD works to creates strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business.

For this program, applicants must complete a First Time Homebuyer Education Course, as well as provide a certificate of completion. This course can be completed through one of the HUD approved agencies, or applicant may find their own online course so long as a certificate is provided. 

Go to https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=IA to find a list of HUD approved agencies near you.

Return applications by hand or mail to:

          Upper Explorerland RPC (UERPC)

          325 Washington Street

          Decorah, IA 52101

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission/

Regional Planning Affiliation 1

FFY 2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The Transportation Policy Board for Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC)/Regional Planning Affiliation 1 (RPA-1) will hold a public hearing at its upcoming meeting to receive comments on the draft RPA-1 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for federal fiscal years (FFY) 2023-2026. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 13^th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at UERPC’s office at 325 Washington Street in Decorah.

The RPA-1 TIP document identifies the multimodal transportation projects—street, transit, highway, bridge, planning, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities—on which state and federal funding will be used over the next four years within Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties.

The draft RPA-1 FFY 2023-2026 TIP is available for public review by clicking the link toward the bottom of this page. Written or verbal comments may be submitted prior to the public hearing to Aaron Detter, UERPC, 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101; by email at adetter@uerpc.org; by phone at 563-419-6126; or by using the comment form on this page. Comments must be received before July 13^th, 2022.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission/

Regional Planning Affiliation 1

Amendment to SFY 2023 Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP)

The Transportation Policy Board for Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) / Regional Planning Affiliation 1 (RPA-1) will hold a public hearing at its upcoming meeting to receive comments on a proposed amendment to the RPA-1 Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP) for state fiscal year (SFY) 2023. RPA-1 includes the Counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek in northeast Iowa. The RPA-1 TPWP document identifies the transportation planning and administrative tasks on which federal funding will be used over the course of the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2022.

The amendment would add $20,000 in regional Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds and $5,000 local matching funds to the approved SFY 2023 TPWP. The funds were awarded to the City of Lansing by the Transportation Policy Board to complete a Highway 9/Main Street Vision Plan. The City of Lansing desires to work with UERPC on the project. Under Iowa Department of Transportation guidance, the awarded STBG funds for planning are to be added to the RPA-1 SFY 2023 TPWP as a special project, with the $5,000 in matching funds coming from the City of Lansing.

The public hearing will take place during the RPA-1 Transportation Policy Board meeting to be held on Wednesday, July 13^th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at UERPC’s office at 325 Washington Street in Decorah.

The SFY 2023 TPWP is accessible on UERPC’s website here. Written or verbal comments may be submitted prior to the public hearing to Aaron Detter, by mail at UERPC, 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101; by email at adetter@uerpc.org; by phone at 563-419-6126; or by using the comment form on this page. Comments must be received before July 13th, 2022.