Back in April 2021, the Gothenburg Improvement Company (GIC) received the news that their application for grant funds toward workforce housing development in the community had been approved.
“Through this grant of $850,000, GIC will be able to leverage an additional NIFA grant of $200,000 in addition to our local commitment of $750,000 from local economic development funds to provide much needed workforce housing to our community,” explained GIC vice president Colten Venteicher in response to the announcement.
In the just under two years since the grant was awarded, GIC has been busy with development and construction of workforce homes in two new subdivisions of Gothenburg. One of those is a parcel of land on Washington Street across from the city maintenance shop, owned by the GIC which was slated for the construction of six new workforce homes. At the time the property was vacant and undeveloped, and required significant preparation and infrastructure. GIC has utilized TIF funds to help offset those costs.
The infrastructure requirements for the properties included water, storm and sanitary sewer connections to the city mains, as well as electrical lines. Helping facilitate the construction and sale of the new homes is Housing Coordinator Robyn Geiser, who was brought on board in that position in July 2021.
Just last week, Geiser excitedly showed two of the four finished homes on Washington Street to local realtors and bank representatives. These homes, Geiser shared, are now available for occupancy.
All of the homes are three bedroom, two bath, with a garage. Geiser said that this spring some landscaping will be done in the yards, and underground sprinkler systems will be added.
Washington Street itself was paved when the new infrastructure was added to accommodate the homes. A total of six homes will sit on the property when the project is completed.
These brand new homes are currently for sale, and are listed at $300,000 as part of the workforce housing program.
Anyone interested in finding out more about these homes may contact Robyn Geiser at 308-325-2450 or email her at robyn@growhousing.net.
