DES MOINES, IOWA -- State Representative Mary Gaskill was pleased to announce Thursday that Ottumwa will receive a $70,000 award from the Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa.

"This grant will strengthen the Ottumwa community and help us improve our quality of life," Gaskill said. 

Ottumwa is one of 14 Iowa communities receiving a Challenge Grant this year, which includes training and technical assistance.  Challenge Grants are funded through an appropriation from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The grants will assist local improvement projects that have a combined total investment of more than $3 million.