Iowa Finance Authority and Economic Development Authority Reveal 2025 Thriving Communities

DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) have announced the 2025 Iowa Thriving Communities. The newly designated communities include Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Newton, and Waterloo.

"Housing is the cornerstone of economic opportunity. When all Iowans have access to affordable homes, families, communities, and businesses can truly thrive," said IEDA|IFA Director Debi Durham. "These Iowa Thriving Communities have shown leadership in embracing housing for all income levels. Congratulations to our newly designated communities."

Meeting the housing needs of a growing economy requires strategic, proactive, and innovative approaches. Iowa communities, local partners, and employers must collaborate to ensure affordable living options for all residents.

To support these efforts, IFA and IEDA launched the second annual Iowa Thriving Communities designation. This initiative recognizes communities that excel in using innovative strategies to attract housing opportunities for their workforce.

"We are thrilled to receive the Iowa Thriving Community designation," said Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel. "This recognition not only affirms our commitment to providing housing for our workforce but also energizes our ongoing efforts to build a brighter future for all residents."

"With this designation, we can continue to create a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to prosper."

These communities demonstrated their commitment and innovation in welcoming housing for all income levels through a rigorous application process. By showcasing best practices in attracting housing development, they aim to serve as models for both state and national efforts. The designation also provides valuable scoring points for the Federal Housing Tax Credit and Workforce Housing Tax Credit programs, effective through 2025 for each community.

Additionally, the following 2024 Iowa Thriving Communities were granted extensions to encourage further development: Charles City, Creston, Knoxville, Manning, Muscatine, Stanton, and West Des Moines.

For more information about Iowa Thriving Communities, visit iowafinance.com.