Iowa Governor Chet Culver made it official late Monday – Belle Plaine has been awarded a $1.5 million I-Jobs grant for its downtown revitalization project. The award was part of a total of $13 million awarded to 24 projects across the state to communities in the Main Street Iowa program.

Belle Plaine’s award was by far the largest of the seven awards to go to Eastern Iowa Communities. The money will go toward facade renovations of more than 30 buildings in the downtown area.

One main stipulation of the funding is that work begin within 60 days of the announcement of the award and be completed within 18 months. Belle Plaine City Administrator Bill Daily told the Belle Plaine City Council Monday night that much work must be done quickly, including securing temporary easements from participating downtown property owners before the work can begin. He indicated that there is an outside chance that the 60 day stipulation might be eased, since the facade improvements must take into account historic preservation, one of the main requirements of participation in the Main Street Iowa program.

He told the council that the next few months will be very exciting in the city.