Several organizations presented their fiscal year 2022 funding requests to the Washington County Board of Supervisors this week.
Jane Drapeaux and Renella Crawford of Hawkeye Area Community Action Program asked for the same funding amount as previous years, and Ryan Schlabaugh of the English River Watershed Management Authority requested the same as last year at $7,500. Washington Economic Development Group Executive Director Mary Audia and Board Treasurer Brent Hinson asked if the county could become an equal partner with the city of Washington in funding for WEDG, asking for $30,000, an increase from $21,000 last year. Main Street Washington Executive Director Sarah Grunewaldt requested that the county increase their funding by 2% this coming fiscal year for cost of living increases, equalling a total of $6,971. No action was taken on any of these requests.
Those seeking to buy a home in Washington County are eligible for financial assistance through the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG).
Through the Community Development Block Grant program ECICOG is offering five homebuyer assistance program loans of up to $24,999 in Washington County. These funds would be awarded as a receding forgivable loan to go toward someone’s down payment, property inspection, or closing costs. Homes eligible for this loan include single family properties, condominiums, existing and newly constructed homes, and those outside a 100-year floodplain. Washington Economic Development Group Executive Director Mary Audia is excited to get the word out to county residents about this program, “Part of what I’m hearing now, and I’ve only been in the position now for a little over a month, is we have such a housing shortage. So folks are looking to hire people, specifically in the Washington County area, and if and when they find those folks they
The new executive director for the Washington County Economic Development Group has so far had over a week under her belt, visiting various people and places in the county.
Mary Audia’s first day was on December 1st following the WEDG Board of Director’s announcement of her hiring on November 20th. Audia fills the role that was left vacant by the sudden passing of director David Collins last July. Her background includes having created, operated, and sold two of her own businesses that are still operating today, and she has served on the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Board with an emphasis on public policy and advocacy areas. A current Iowa City resident, Audia says she has visited Washington County several times in the past to enjoy its local retail and restaurant businesses, but she says the job interview and tour of the county opened her eyes to all that it has to offer.