Community leaders present and represent for City of Waukon at 2025 HousingIowa Conference
Waukon delegation represents at HousingIowa Conference ... The individuals pictured above represented Waukon at some or all of the HousingIowa Conference held September 2-4 in Cedar Rapids, which is noted as “Iowa’s premier housing event, addressing timely topics and facilitating networking with Iowa housing leaders”. As a recently designated Iowa Thriving Community, the City of Waukon was able to make a presentation on its housing success and other elements key to being named an Iowa Thriving Community, as well as listen to and network with other designated communities and housing authorities from across the state of Iowa. Pictured above, left to right, are: Front row - Waukon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Halverson, Waukon City Clerk Sarah Snitker, Veterans Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Michael Coyle; Back row: Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism Executive Director Val Reinke, Waukon City Council member Tim Smedsrud, Waukon City Manager Gary Boden, Waukon Mayor Arvid Hatlan, and Waukon City Council member Steve Wiedner. Not pictured above is Patty Fosaaen, a former business owner and active volunteer on many boards and with many organizations within the Waukon community who was also instrumental in an initial presentation made in July of this year to the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority when the City of Waukon was vying for that Thriving Community designation. Submitted photo.
by Joe Moses
Prior to and following the HousingIowa Conference held September 3-4 in Cedar Rapids, Waukon City Manager Gary Boden and City Clerk Sarah Snitker met with The Standard to provide an update relating to Waukon’s Thriving Communities designation received through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). Waukon is one of five communities to receive this designation for 2026, with those other designated communities including Clear Lake, Sioux Center, Ottumwa and Urbandale. Waukon joined those other communities in showcasing this achievement as an exhibitor at the 2025 HousingIowa Conference.
Boden shared that the Iowa Thriving Communities initiative through IEDA and IFA is in its third year and that he first learned of this designation approximately two and a half years ago at a housing conference, not long after the program’s initial roll-out. Boden and Snitker discussed IEDA’s recommendation for Waukon to pursue this designation in consideration of Waukon’s level of interest in pursuing a variety of competitive grant opportunities through IEDA, both now and in the future.
Snitker discussed the research and information gathering that took place in developing Waukon’s application which included details relating to housing development, community partnerships and strategic planning, much of which dated back several decades. Snitker noted information relating to the city’s partnership with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and that organization’s role relating to property development in addition to noting the city’s efforts relating to subdivisions and property development dating back as far as the 1980s.
Snitker also advised that beyond factors associated with housing, industry and economic development, the application process required information relating to a variety of quality of life aspects, among those being the arts and culture. For this portion of Waukon’s application, Snitker explained that information relating to free and low-cost community events, including live music at various local venues, in addition to theatrical productions by the Allamakee Community Players, the Wolfpack Theater Company and the Waukon High School were included in this research and information gathering.
BENEFITS OF A THRIVING COMMUNITY DESIGNATION
As explained by Snitker, entities receiving the Iowa Thriving Communities designation receive incentive points to qualify for the 2026 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and/or Workforce Housing Tax Credit (WHTC) Programs with all Iowa Thriving Communities qualifying for incentive points under the Home Program and Community Catalyst Program. As a result, developers are incentivized to select communities designated as Iowa Thriving Communities to benefit from LIHTC and WHTC as housing development proposals are reviewed as part of this competitive scoring process. The municipalities receiving the 2026 Iowa Thriving Communities designation include Waukon (WHTC only), Clear Lake (both LIHTC and WHTC), Sioux Center (LIHTC only), Ottumwa (both LIHTC and WHTC) and Urbandale (LIHTC – Targeted Location).
The role of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) was discussed as an important factor in allowing Waukon to address housing and infrastructure. Relating to housing development, Boden stated, “We couldn’t do it without public sector financing through TIF.”
Both Snitker and Boden noted that the Thriving Communities designation is an important piece of the city’s planning and funding efforts in addition to the comprehensive planning process and update that will be taking place.
Boden discussed the importance of Waukon remaining competitive relating to the variety of grant funding opportunities available. Among those grant funding options, Boden discussed the Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) Program through the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) which he advised may assist with street and roadway development for industrial use ground. Boden noted that the Thriving Communities designation is an asset in qualifying for this and other grant opportunities, in addition to allowing Waukon to be considered for a higher level of funding.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, September 17, 2025 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
