The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has awarded one of its highly competitive Community Catalyst Building Remediation grants to the City of Exira in Audubon County for planned renovations to the former American Legion building. Blake and Clair Asberry purchased the building near the end of 2023 and plan to convert the site into a coffee and goods shop. The City of Exira applied for the Community Catalyst grant on behalf of the Asberrys and were awarded the maximum amount of $100,000. Region XII Council of Government assisted the city and owners in completing the grant process. Applicants are scored based on their proposed improvements to an existing, underutilized building, the economic impact of the resulting project, and partnerships with local governments.
