a 100% tax rebate on building improvements, encouraging the addition of second floor apartment or Airbnb rentals. “It’s called the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, and that has spurred a lot of developments,” Rehder details.“We started talking to building owners saying ‘If you put in the investment, you’re going to get the increase in your property tax, you’re going to get that back for 10 years. If you do it right, it’s a project that can almost pay for itself.” GROWING FOR FUTURE RESIDENTS Housing has been a longstanding challenge in Iola, as demand has outpaced supply in the growing community.“There are individuals that live an hour away that want to move to Iola,” reports Mayor French. “They make the 30 minute to 1 hour commute every day.They need to find housing, or they’re going to go back to their primary community and not move here.” To meet housing needs, the city invested in 156 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11
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