Spencer, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — The city of Spencer has been awarded a higher-than average-percentage development RISE grant from the Iowa DOT to extend streets and storm sewer into two potential development areas.
The grants are typically 50 percent, but a 70 percent match was approved because of the flood.
Development personnel Brittany Dickey from Cornbelt Power and Doug Vlasman from Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative informed the city council recently that their organizations would each pay 1/3rd of the remaining expense in South Technical Park on 37th West Avenue.
But Dickey is appealing to the city to fully develop the area with water and sanitary sewer at the same time.
Further development would also open lots with rail access for prospective industry.
Extending the street and storm sewer on 4th Avenue West to the city-owned lots West of the new Dollar General is also eligible for the amped-up RISE grant with Spencer Municipal Utilities offering to pay for water main installation.
Councilman Tom Nelson says the RISE grants are too good to pass up, but the timing is unfortunate with other needs before the city at the present time.
Councilman Loren Reit (REET) believes adding water and sanitary sewer to the 4th Avenue project is critical to get those lots sold.
Engineer Brian Schmidt tells the city installing streets, sewer, water, and sanitary sewer all at one time would most likely save the city money in the long run.
