ITC Midwest Awards $2,500 Grant Toward Empowering Rural Living through Cluster Housing
May 1, 2025 | ITC Midwest
DECORAH, Iowa (May 1, 2025) — ITC Midwest has awarded a $2,500 Power of Connection grant to support Winneshiek County Development and Tourism and their project, Empowering Rural Living through Cluster Housing. These funds will be used towards the planning and design fees associated with the project, which aims to explore sustainable and inclusive cluster housing in the community of Decorah.
In partnership with Decorah Jobs Inc., Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, and the City of Decorah, this transformative Planned Unit Development project seeks to address the need for affordable, energy-efficient housing while preserving the rural setting. The project will introduce a cluster housing layout that optimizes land use, promotes green space and water retention practices, and encourages a close-knit community atmosphere.
“This project is an investment in Decorah’s long-term economic growth,” said Stephanie Fromm, executive director of Winneshiek County Development and Tourism. “By developing affordable and sustainable housing, we are creating new opportunities for local residents and positioning Decorah as a model for rural communities across Iowa.”
The Empowering Rural Living through Cluster Housing project will provide a comprehensive framework for future development, ensuring that Decorah remains a vibrant and attractive community for residents and visitors alike, with a goal to create a plan that can be shared across the state of Iowa.
“The Power of Connection grant provides an opportunity to enhance the impact of economic development in Decorah for the benefit of the entire community,” said ITC Midwest President Dusky Terry. “By contributing funds to support this housing project, we are helping to create a sustainable and inclusive community within the ITC Midwest footprint, benefitting the entire region.”
About the Power of Connection Program
The Power of Connectioncommunity grant program is an initiative of ITC Midwest and the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC). This innovative economic development program is designed to pair rural communities seeking assistance with IRDC resource teams. Those teams drive both community conversations and solution development for problems or projects.
Communities eligible for the Power of Connection program must have populations of under 10,000 and be outside of a metropolitan area. Power of Connectiongrant dollars cannot be used for construction, real estate or equipment.
About ITC Midwest
ITC Midwest LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company. ITC Midwest operates more than 6,600 circuit miles of transmission lines in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin. ITC Midwest is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and maintains regional operating facilities in Dubuque, Iowa City and Perry, Iowa; and Albert Lea and Lakefield, Minnesota. For further information visit www.itcmidwest.com. ITC is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information visit www.fortisinc.com.
Media Contacts:
Bill Menner, Executive Director, Iowa Rural Development Council
director@iowardc.org or 641-990-4757
Darcy Moulin, Lead Communications Specialist, ITC Midwest
dmoulin@itctransco.com or 319-297-6837