Iowa Association of Councils of Governments

06/12/2026

Holding our Fall Directors Retreat at Wilson's Ciderhouse & Farm - Des Moines today!

We’re proud to recognize Nichole Moore for her leadership as chair for the last 2.5 years.

06/11/2026

Registration is now open for the MINK 4-State Conference!

The conference will feature expert-led presentations and sessions focused on management and human resources, community development, economic development and more, providing valuable insights and practical tools for councils of governments and regional organizations.

Learn more and register: https://vist.ly/57ff9

06/09/2026

Meet Nichole L. Moore, Executive Director, and Julie Pribyl, Program Support Specialist, who make up the staff serving the Chariton Valley Planning & Development Council of Governments (CVPD) region in Southern Iowa! CVPD covers Appanoose, Lucas, Monroe, and Wayne counties, established in 2007 to support regional planning, housing, transportation, and community development.

CVPD supports 23 communities across four counties:
- Appanoose: Centerville, Cincinnati, Exline, Moravia, Moulton, Mystic, Numa, Plano, Rathbun, Udell, Unionville
- Lucas: Chariton, Derby, Lucas, Russell, Williamson
- Monroe: Albia, Lovilia, Melrose
- Wayne: Corydon, Allerton, Humeston, Lineville, Millerton, Promise City, Seymour, Clio

2025 WINS🏆
Launched a nonprofit for D.R.I.V.E. Veteran’s Transit, offering no‑cost rides for local veterans in partnership with 10‑15 Transit.

COMING IN 2026 🔜
- Regional hazard mitigation plan update
- Comprehensive planning for communities
- Long‑range transportation & trails planning

KEY FACTS & CLAIM TO FAME 🤩
- Lake Rathbun: 11,000 acres of recreation, home to Honey Creek Resort & Iowa’s largest warm‑water fish hatchery
- Coal Mining Heritage: Explore the region’s mining history at local museums
- Historic Centerville Square: Iowa’s largest historic courthouse square district
- Switchgrass Pioneer: National testing ground for renewable switchgrass energy
- Piper’s Grocery & Deli: Handmade chocolates since 1947
- Regional Economic Strength: Home to Johnson Machine Works, birthplace of Hy‑Vee, and major Cargill biotech investment
- Nelson Round Barn: 1912 architectural landmark
- Murals & Pioneer History: Walldogs murals, Jesse James history, Chautauqua heritage, and a key stop on the Mormon Pioneer Trail
- Amish Community: One of Iowa’s largest Amish populations

05/26/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and as a proud supporter of the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! initiative, we’re committed to helping spread the word.

Take a moment today to care for your mental well-being—whether that’s stepping outside, enjoying a walk in nature, or simply pausing to breathe. A small step can make a big difference.

05/20/2026

Homes for Iowa’s building site expansion will be complete this summer—nearly doubling capacity and strengthening the ability to meet growing housing demand across the state. Currently able to construct 24 homes at a time, Homes for Iowa will increase that number to 45 homes with the expansion.

The impact goes beyond construction: nearly 700 trainees have participated in the program, and 159 homes have been delivered since 2020.

ICOG is proud to support Homes for Iowa, and this momentum continues because of committed partners working together to expand housing opportunities across Iowa.

Learn more at https://vist.ly/54wif.

Homes for Iowa supports the growth and development of offenders through the construction of affordable homes for income-eligible families and individuals.

05/14/2026

ICOG is a proud supporter of Homes for Iowa and wants to make sure cities, nonprofits, and developers are aware of an important upcoming deadline.

- Order by July 1 to lock in current pricing! Homes for Iowa’s board reviews pricing each June, and past years have typically seen a modest increase. Securing pricing now can provide greater certainty for your project budget.

- Submit orders soon to secure a spot in the 2026 production schedule. With an approximate six‑month build timeline, this is less about year-end delivery and more about aligning with your overall project timeline and planning needs.

Learn more at https://vist.ly/548s2.

Homes for Iowa supports the growth and development of offenders through the construction of affordable homes for income-eligible families and individuals.

05/12/2026

Meet the North Iowa Area Council Of Governments (North Iowa Area Council Of Governments), serving the counties of Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, and Worth as well as their 67 cities!

With 48 dedicated staff members, NIACOG is a regional leader in planning, housing, transportation, community development, and transit services.

2025 WINS🏆
- Provided 200,000+ rides to mostly elderly and disabled North Iowans which helped them to reach the doctor, work, grocery stores, and family and friends. Many riders comment that without Region 2 Transit, they would not be able to reach these key destinations!

- Awarded the third of three $2 million grants to renovate electric grids for the cities of Corwith, Bancroft, and Algona, which will greatly reduce monthly outages which had averaged as much as 1.25 per month in one community. This creates stability for business, those who work from home, and the elderly who rely on dependable electricity for their healthcare.

- Spearheaded the first North Iowa Housing Conference with 30 speakers, 150 attendees, 3 tracks of sessions, 27 participating on the inter-agency planning crew, and 10 meetings between cities and developers to initiate housing development projects.

COMING IN 2026 🔜
A $4 million Career Education Training Center will open in Hampton this fall, supported by a $3 million grant from the Economic Development Administration with NIACOG as grant writer and administrator. This center will train high schoolers (and adults) to work for local employers in need of workers and will help stabilize the population base, as 20% of young workers are being lost through out-migration.

CLAIM TO FAME 🤩
The NIACOG region is best known for:
- The last remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
- The world’s largest RV manufacturer (Winnebago Industries)
- "The Day the Music Died," when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" were killed in a plane crash after a concert at The Surf Ballroom

05/07/2026

Keep an eye out—registration for the MINK Conference is opening soon! 📆

Get ready to join us in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on August 31 - September 2. We're bringing together Councils of Government from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri for two full days of engaging content, collaboration, and connection!

04/13/2026

Thank you to Kristin Prososki of KSU TAB - Technical Assistance to Brownfields for presenting at last week's ICOG Board of Directors meeting! 👏

We learned how brownfields—properties that are contaminated or potentially contaminated—can be challenging to redevelop, and how TAB supports communities through the laws, incentives, and technical assistance that make redevelopment possible in Iowa.

We especially appreciated seeing how Councils of Governments are already involved—and can continue to play a key role—in transforming these spaces into new opportunities for our communities.

04/10/2026

We’re big fans of Homes for Iowa and thrilled to help spread the word about their upcoming career fair!

Register: https://vist.ly/4x2yp