Projects in 21 communities have been awarded grants totaling $8.8 million through the Community Development Block Grant Program, officials with the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced today. The projects range from water and sewer improvements and downtown revitalization, to housing rehabilitation and upper story developments, officials said in a news release. The grants were awarded based on their benefit to low- and moderate-income residents, financial needs, project readiness and commitment of local resources to the project. The CDBG program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. IEDA is responsible for administering the CDBG funds in the nonmetropolitan areas of the state. A full list of projects receiving awards today can be found here.