Iowa economic development leader sees opportunity after COVID-19
13 May 2020
CEDAR RAPIDS — It’s not shaping up to be the year she anticipated, but Iowa’s economic development director is confident the state will not only survive the coronavirus pandemic, but see opportunities as the crisis passes.
“We’re in a very stressful time, but there is a light at the end of this, there is great opportunity in our future,” Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham said during a conversation Wednesday with ICR Iowa, the regional economic development organization serving the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area.
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Council backs grant application
May 7 2020MATT MILNER • COURIER MANAGING EDITOR
OTTUMWA: Council members approved an application for a federal BUILD Grant to remake the area around the historic train depot and Ballingall Park.
Discussions of major projects have been tough in recent weeks as the scale of the financial hit created by...
CHIARA ELENA ROMERO • COURIER STAFF WRITER
OTTUMWA: On Tuesday county supervisors agreed to write a letter of support for the city's application for funding from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant.
This is a grant program affiliated with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)...

CHIARA ELENA ROMERO • COURIER STAFF WRITER
OTTUMWA: Local small businesses experiencing financial hardship because of COVID-19 may qualify for some aid. The Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation used $100,000 to create and manage the Wapello County Small Business Impact Fund to assist local businesses.
ORLF President Steve Dust...