Grants awarded to Parkersburg and Independence

The state Transportation Commission approved economic development grants for two eastern Iowa cities Tuesday. The commission approved what are known as “RISE” grants, or “Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy” awards, for Independence and Parkersburg. D-O-T Transportation Planner Craig Marvick explains the Independence grant.The 300-thousand-dollar grant will help the city put in a roadway to the first phase of its industrial development park. Marvick says Parkersburg is getting a 126-thousand dollar grant.The grant will also help pay for a roadway into the Parkersburg industrial park. Marvick says the grants are speculative with no job creation goals tied to the money. Each community must match the money put up by the state.