2019 Clarinda Downtown Revitalization Façade Project:

In the fall of 2016, the Clarinda Chamber of Commerce Downtown Revitalization Committee began to explore the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).  The project goal was to restore and enhance the building facades around the downtown square.

The CDBG program is a Federal Community Development Block Grant that is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).  The City of Clarinda with the assistance of the Southwest Iowa Planning Council applied for the CDBG grant in spring of 2017 and was notified of the $500,000 grant award on June 29, 2017.

Local project funding was made available by the Clarinda Foundation in the initial amount of $125,000 along with the City of Clarinda of  $50,000 with contributions from the Clarinda Youth Corporation, Cornerstone Bank, Bank Iowa, PCSB Bank, Page County Supervisors and an anonymous donor totaling $250,000.  The property owners’ contribution of $250,000 was 25% of the cost of their building improvements.

The Clarinda community has completed a successful Downtown Revitalization Facade Project with twelve participating building owners totaling eighteen building facades. Improvements to buildings included:  new windows/doors, awning replacement, painting, signage, masonry work and tuck-pointing.  Numerous meetings were held with the architects, general contractor, building owners, grant administrator and city representatives facilitated by the Clarinda Chamber of Commerce staff to review and approve façade enhancements.

The Clarinda Downtown Revitalization Dedication ceremony was held Saturday, September 28 – 10 a.m. on the Northwest corner of the square.  Historic walking tours were provided by Trish Bergren, Nodaway Valley Historical Museum Director.