The Fort Dodge community recently received a big vote of confidence from the state officials in charge of housing incentives.

Those officials awarded about $1.8 million in tax credits for two construction projects: one at District 29 on the city’s east side and a new apartment complex planned along Third Avenue Northwest.

District 29 received $1 million, one of the largest tax credit awards in the state, for 49 new townhome units to be built south of the existing buildings near Dodger Drive and 29th Street.

Construction of District 29 began in 2020, and the first phase was completed a year later. A second phase of construction started in 2022.

Last spring, Talon Development, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, announced plans for 18 more townhome structures.

24WF River District, which is part of Hoppe Development, received $874,440 for 24 units to be built on the northwest side of the city. Construction of those units will begin next year.

The tax credit awards come in the wake of Fort Dodge being one of the first five towns to receive the designation of Iowa Thriving Community in late 2024. Debi Durham, who leads both the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority, said that program “celebrates communities going above and beyond to create innovative housing opportunities.”

The result of all this is fresh investment in new housing in a community that badly needs it.

Astra Ferris, chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, told The Messenger that the District 29 and 24WF River District projects help to “strengthen housing inventory, attract and retain talent and position our community for future growth.” She’s right. And the same can be said about the housing developments that will follow in the future.

Ferris and her staff at the Growth Alliance, along with city staff members, deserve credit and thanks for securing the Iowa Thriving Community designation. They saw the opportunity in a new program and moved fast to make Fort Dodge part of it.

Developers are now seeing Fort Dodge as a place they want to be. The presence of District 29 and 24WF River District prove that. And other developers, such as Kading Properties of Urbandale, are taking a look at the community also.

Good things are starting to happen on the housing front. With time and patience, Fort Dodge will start seeing some wonderful results.