Independence building awarded $600,000 housing grant

The owners of an historic downtown Independence building received a $600,000 Downtown Housing Grant to help develop 10 apartments on its second floor.

The building, constructed in 1914 and now a Hardware Hank store, is owned by Brad and Kellie Cole, who took over the Independence store in June 2021.

The grant is part of the Federal American Rescue Act State and Local Fiscal Relief funds.

The Downtown Housing Grant Program is part of the state of Iowa’s “$100 million investment to increase the supply of housing options and expand housing opportunities for Iowans to live in or near the communities where they work,” the Buchanan County Economic Development Commission said in a news release Friday.

The grant program is for communities with fewer than 30,000 residents.

“This grant continues the momentum that Independence has seen over the last few years with the revitalization of the historic downtown,” Lisa Kremer, Buchanan County Economic Development Commission executive director, said in the release.

“Since 2020, Independence has been the recipient of two Catalyst Grants, two (Community Development Block Grant) Facade Grants and now the Downtown Housing Grant. It is so exciting to see all of the hard work that has been put into this community and county being rewarded.”

The Plymouth, Minn.-based Hardware Hank chain has approximately 610 stores.