Ottumwa Wins Iowa Thriving Community Designation 2026

The Iowa Finance Authority and Iowa Economic Development Authority designated Ottumwa as an Iowa Thriving Community for 2026, recognizing the city's planning and development work.

The designation gives Ottumwa scoring advantages for federal funding programs including Housing Tax Credits, Workforce Housing Tax Credits, HOME, and Community Catalyst grants. Developers pursuing projects in Ottumwa gain a competitive edge in competing for those funds.

City officials, Indian Hills Community College, the Ottumwa Community School District, the Legacy Foundation, Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress, and JBS collaborated on the application. The Iowa Finance Authority and Iowa Economic Development Authority selected Ottumwa based on the city's investment in community assets and demonstrated best practices across multiple development categories.