Clear Lake’s mayor says housing developers already showing interest after “Thriving Communities” designation for 2026

CLEAR LAKE — Clear Lake’s mayor says developers are starting to take a look at potential projects in the community after the city was chosen to receive the “Thriving Communities” designation for 2026 from the Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The designation allows developers seeking funding for housing projects in designated communities priority scoring for things such as tax credits for workforce, market-rate, and affordable housing.

Mayor Nelson Crabb says a number of contractors have already been in town.  “There are several areas around town that we have possibly contractors being interested in. We probably have had ten contractors, not locally but shall we say areawide, that have expressed great interest in that.”

Crabb says the city is partnering with the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation and the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce in helping developers explore the possibilities.  “A very, very good partnership to get another level of homes that will be built, that will come into Clear Lake and be affordable for a lot of different people with a newer home.”

Crabb made his comments on the “Ask the Mayor” podcast that was published earlier this morning at this link