Independence hardware store awarded $600,000 housing grant

10 residences to be additional

Brad and Kellie Cole took in excess of the Independence store in June 2021. (Courtesy Buchanan County Economic Progress Fee)

The proprietors of an historic downtown Independence building received a $600,000 Downtown Housing Grant to aid create 10 apartments on its next flooring.

The constructing, produced in 1914 and now a Hardware Hank retailer, is owned by Brad and Kellie Cole, who took about the Independence keep in June 2021.

The grant is section of the Federal American Rescue Act Condition and Local Fiscal Relief funds.

The Downtown Housing Grant Program is element of the point out of Iowa’s “$100 million expense to raise the supply of housing possibilities and expand housing opportunities for Iowans to dwell in or in the vicinity of the communities the place they get the job done,” the Buchanan County Economic Enhancement Fee claimed in a information release Friday.

The grant system is for communities with fewer than 30,000 citizens.

“This grant continues the momentum that Independence has witnessed around the very last number of several years with the revitalization of the historic downtown,” Lisa Kremer, Buchanan County Financial Advancement Fee government director, explained in the release.

“Since 2020, Independence has been the receiver of two Catalyst Grants, two (Local community Progress Block Grant) Facade Grants and now the Downtown Housing Grant. It is so exciting to see all of the tricky work that has been place into this neighborhood and county being rewarded.”

The Plymouth, Minn.-primarily based Components Hank chain has close to 610 merchants.