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BDG SECURES HOUSING GRANT

BDG has been busy solving two big challenges for Benton County communities - housing availability and deteriorating commercial buildings. Using expertise in Catalyst Grants and disaster recovery funding, BDG recently secured funds for creating apartments in Belle Plaine’s King Theater. 




“Our role is to be aware of funding opportunities and to pull everyone together so worthwhile projects meeting the needs of Benton County get off the ground,” explains Kate Robertson, Executive Director of Benton Development Group. “The King Theater project required the coordinated involvement of the City of Belle Plaine, a developer eager to do the work, the East Central Council of Governments, and both the state and federal governments. Adding any new apartment units in a community Belle Plaine’s size makes a difference in attracting workers and making the community an affordable place to live.” 


The King Theater project is the latest in a series of BDG activities that have delivered more than $1.6 million for Benton County using these two funding mechanisms.  Other projects include the Tap Haus and disaster recovery funds for Atkins, disaster recovery funds for Belle Plaine, and renovations of the building now home to Cranky Hanks Pizza in Shellsburg. 


“If you drive through Shellsburg on most nights you’ll see a street filled with cars, and the key is to have food options worth traveling for. Cranky Hanks filled that role in Shellsburg, and now other businesses are prospering as well,” says Robertson. “The Tap Haus in Atkins is another example of one business opening and creating benefit for the entire community, and both really show why the state named them “Catalyst” grants.” 


Benton Development Group (BDG) is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for all Benton County residents. As the county's primary resource for industries seeking new locations, communities looking to grow, and businesses aiming to expand, BDG works closely with local leaders to foster economic development. Governed by a board representing all communities in the county, BDG continues to drive progress and create opportunities that benefit the entire county.


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