OSKALOOSA, IA – Oskaloosa Main Street is now accepting applications from the designated main street geographic area property owners interested in being considered for the 2027 Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant Program.
The Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant provides funding for transformative building rehabilitation projects within designated Main Street districts. Grant awards range from $25,000 to $100,000 and require a dollar-for-dollar match. Eligible projects include exterior façade improvements, interior commercial renovations, upper-story housing development, structural repairs, building system upgrades, and compatible infill construction projects.
Only one project may be submitted by each Main Street Iowa community for state-level consideration, making the local selection process highly competitive.
“We encourage property owners with significant rehabilitation projects to explore this opportunity,” said Angella Foster, Executive Director of Oskaloosa Main Street. “Challenge Grants have helped leverage hundreds of thousands of dollars in investment throughout downtown Oskaloosa, improving historic buildings, creating new housing opportunities, and strengthening our local economy.”
Highly competitive projects demonstrate quality design, preservation-based rehabilitation strategies, economic impact through business or housing development, and a well-defined scope of work that can be completed within the grant’s two-year contract period.
Property owners interested in applying should contact Oskaloosa Main Street as soon as possible to discuss project eligibility, application requirements, and available design assistance opportunities. Early planning is strongly encouraged, as successful applications require detailed project scopes, cost estimates, and supporting documentation.
Key dates for the FY27 Challenge Grant Program include:
- June 22, 2026 – State applications released
- July 30, 2026 – Design Assistance Requests due
- August 27, 2026 – State application deadline
- November 2026 – Grant award announcements
Interested property owners should contact Oskaloosa Main Street as soon as possible to express interest in participating in the local selection process.
