East Central Intergovernmental Association

What East Central Intergovernmental Association does

East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) is the Regional Council of Governments for five counties in eastern Iowa—Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson—operating as a membership-supported intergovernmental association founded in 1974 with 101-250 employees and headquarters in Dubuque. It delivers services across five program areas: Community Development (including EPA Brownfields assessment and cleanup, city technical services, grant writing and administration), Economic Development (SBA 504 and other business loan programs via ECDC, CEDS implementation), Housing Assistance (Section 8, public housing, TBRA, home repair and lead paint hazard removal, homeless services through CSEI), Transportation & Planning (DMATS, RPA 8), and Transit (RTA 8). Service delivery is executed through a network of subsidiary and affiliated entities—EIRHA, RTA 8, ECDC, CSEI, EIRUSS—each with its own program identity but unified governance under ECIA's council structure.

The organization's technology foundation centers on ArcGIS-powered interactive web maps (Brownfields Site Inventory, ECIA Region Grants Map, Lead Safe Units Map, Field of Opportunities Amenities Map) that aggregate region-wide data on contaminated sites, grant awards, housing interventions, and amenities, supplemented by Google Forms for program application intake. ECIA's revenue model combines membership dues from its five county governments, federal pass-through grants (EPA, HUD, EDA, SBA), SBA 504 loan administration fees, and program-specific income (transit fares, home modification services). Pricing is structured as free technical assistance for eligible local governments and nonprofits, with standard SBA fees embedded in 504 loan rates ($50K–$5.5M, 10-20 year fixed terms, 10% down). Its go-to-market is direct-to-government via municipal engagement, federal agency partnerships, and a Government Training Institute providing free workshops to local officials.

ECIA's strategic posture in 2025 reflects strong federal grant capture, having secured $3M in EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Funds and $1M in HUD Older Adults Home Modification Program funds, alongside the rollout of a new FY26-28 Strategic Plan. Core partnerships include the SBA (CDC designation), EPA, HUD, Iowa DNR, IEDA, MercyOne (clinical assessments for home modifications), DMATS/RPA 8 (transportation planning), and EIRHA (housing). Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the organization operates without disclosed AI/ML capabilities, relying instead on standard GIS and form-based digital infrastructure to support a human-intensive service delivery model.

Name

East Central Intergovernmental Association

Legal name

East Central Intergovernmental Association

Website

https://www.ecia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

East Central Intergovernmental Association is the Regional Council of Governments for five eastern Iowa counties (Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson), delivering community development, economic development, housing, transportation, and transit services to member local governments, small businesses, and residents through membership dues and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Government Services

NAICS

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Brownfield Redevelopment Due Diligence & Grant Support (EUAHAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

NEPA/EA/EIS & Public Consultation (EUAHAAAB), Environmental Permitting & Impact Assessment (EIA/NEPA) (BPAIAMAK), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) & Due Diligence (BPAHAJAB)

Keywords

• Regional planning services
• Intergovernmental programs
• Brownfields remediation
• Community development
• Transit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubuque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ECIA operates as a membership-supported organization of local governments, funded through membership dues from Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson counties
2. SBA 504 Loan Program Administration: ECIA administers SBA 504 loans which provide economic development financing for small businesses to purchase land, buildings, and equipment. CDC/SBA provides 40% of project financing in second lien position.
3. Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund: Low interest loans and gap financing for property cleanup costs. Loans available to qualifying municipalities, nonprofits, and for-profit entities. Grants available to qualifying municipalities and nonprofits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) is the Regional Council of Governments for Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson counties in eastern Iowa. It administers brownfields assessment and cleanup programs, SBA 504 and other business loan programs, housing assistance (Section 8, public housing, home repair, lead hazard removal), community development technical services, transportation planning (DMATS, RPA 8), and regional transit services (RTA 8) for member local governments, small businesses, nonprofits, and residents.

Product overview

ECIA (East Central Intergovernmental Association) is a membership-supported organization of local governments across Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson counties in Iowa. Rather than a single product, ECIA operates as a multi-service intergovernmental consortium offering programs across five key areas: Community Development (including Brownfields assessment/cleanup and city technical services), Economic Development (business loans, ECDC, CEDS strategy), Housing Assistance (Section 8, public housing, home repair programs, homeless services), Transportation and Planning (DMATS, RPA 8, transit), and Transit services. Key programs include the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund, SBA 504 and other business loan programs, the ECIA Home Repair Program with lead hazard and healthy homes components, and the Government Training Institute. Services are delivered through subsidiary organizations including EIRHA (housing), RTA 8 (transit), ECIATrans (transportation planning), CSEI (homeless services), and EIRUSS (rural utility services).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa (CSEI): A program under ECIA focused on homeless housing and community solutions in Eastern Iowa.
• East Central Development Corporation (ECDC)
• Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Service Systems (EIRUSS)
• ECIA Home Repair Program
• Government Training Institute
• Regional Transit Authority 8 (RTA 8)
• Keep Iowa Beautiful

Products and services

• Brownfields Program Provides technical and financial assistance to assess, cleanup, and reuse potential brownfield sites throughout east central Iowa. Includes assessment grants and a Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) providing low-interest loans and gap financing for property cleanup costs. Serves qualifying municipalities, nonprofits, and for-profit entities.
• Business Growth / Loan Programs Provides various loan programs including SBA 504 loans, MCA loans, Regional RLF, Jackson County RLF, Dubuque County RLF, EDA RLF, EDA Cares Act RLF, and Energy Efficiency Loan Fund for business expansion and startup projects. SBA 504 loans offer $50,000 to $5.5 million with 10% down and 10-20 year fixed rate terms.
• Community Development and City Technical Services Offers community development services, city codes assistance, community facility grant writing and administration, building inspections, code enforcement, environmental reviews, hazard mitigation planning, downtown planning, and strategic planning services for member municipalities and counties.
• Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa (CSEI) Provides homeless housing helpline and related services for the eastern Iowa region, coordinating homeless services and housing assistance for individuals and families in need.
• East Central Development Corporation (ECDC) Economic development corporation operated under ECIA offering programs including the Pocket Neighborhood initiative for affordable housing development across the region.
• Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Service Systems (EIRUSS) Provides utility service system support, viability assessments, and project development assistance for rural water and sewer systems in eastern Iowa communities.
• ECIA Home Repair Program Offers home repair assistance including lead paint hazard removal, healthy homes production, and the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program for low-income elderly homeowners across Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson counties.
• Government Training Institute Provides free government training and workshops for member communities covering topics such as rural roads and streets (RCTP), city codes, planning, and other local government functions.
• Housing Programs (EIRHA) Provides Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Public Housing, Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), Foster Youth to Independence, Mainstream Voucher Program, Housing Trust Fund homebuyer down-payment assistance, and housing counseling through Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA).
• Transit Services (RTA 8) Regional Transit Authority 8 provides scheduled transit services for Dubuque, Delaware, and Jackson Counties, offering accessible transportation for residents across the tri-county area.
• Transportation and Planning Provides transportation planning services including the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS) and Regional Planning Affiliation 8 (RPA 8), plus rural roads and streets programs, trail planning, and transportation grant administration.
• Grant Wood Loop Regional trail system with Fields of Opportunities Amenities Map for recreational, tourism, and trail planning purposes across eastern Iowa.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 low-income elderly homeowners to receive home modifications through HUD Older Adults Home Modification Program ($1,000,000 grant)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Iowa DNR (Department of Natural Resources)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIowa DNR Brownfield program partnership for environmental assessment and cleanup coordination throughout the ECIA region.
• Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for various IEDA programs including Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT), Community Development & Facilities Fund, Downtown Revitalization Fund, and other state economic development programs.
• MercyOnemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercyOne Occupational Therapists partner with ECIA Healthy Homes specialists to conduct home assessments for the Older Adults Home Modification Program, identifying and prioritizing necessary changes to help elderly residents age in place.
• Regional Transit Authority 8 (RTA 8)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransit services for Dubuque, Delaware, and Jackson Counties through RTA 8 partnership, providing transportation access for residents.
• Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIRHA partners with ECIA for housing programs including Section 8, Public Housing, Tenant Based Rental Assistance, and Housing Trust Fund.
• Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa (CSEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSEI, administered by ECIA, provides the Homeless Housing Helpline and coordinates homeless services across the region.
• Keep Iowa BeautifulmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHometown Pride five-year community coaching program helping Dubuque and Jackson county communities with volunteer recruitment, meeting facilitation, project planning, grant applications, and fundraising.
• Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetropolitan planning organization for Dubuque area coordinating transportation planning and federal funding.
• Regional Planning Affiliation 8 (RPA 8)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional planning affiliation coordinating transportation planning for the RPA 8 area.
• County GovernmentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember counties including Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson provide local government representation and coordination for regional programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission: Neighboring Iowa regional planning commission covering six counties in northeast Iowa. Directly comparable to ECIA in mission, scale, service mix (housing, brownfields, transportation, economic development), and reliance on federal/state pass-through funding.
• Bi-State Regional Commission: Regional planning commission serving a multi-county area straddling Iowa and Illinois. Provides an apples-to-apples comparison for ECIA on cross-jurisdictional coordination, brownfields programs, and federal grant administration at a similar scale.
• Mid-America Regional Council (MARC): Regional council of governments serving the Kansas City metro area across multiple counties. Directly comparable to ECIA as an association of local governments providing brownfields, housing, transportation planning, and economic development programs through federal pass-through funding.
• Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments: Regional council of governments covering north-central Iowa counties. Strong comparable to ECIA on rural Iowa service delivery, federal pass-through programs (EDA, HUD, EPA), and a similar multi-program structure across housing, transportation, and economic development.

Broad incumbents

• East-West Gateway Council of Governments: Large, established council of governments serving the St. Louis metro across Missouri and Illinois. Comparable to ECIA in core mission (regional planning, housing, transportation, brownfields) but materially larger budget and footprint.

Others

• National Association of Regional Councils (NARC): Industry association representing regional councils of governments across the U.S. Not a direct competitor but a peer for benchmarking federal funding access, advocacy, and ECIA's positioning within the national COG ecosystem.

Regional players

• Iowa Council of Governments (ICOG): Iowa statewide association supporting the state's regional councils of governments. Listed as a regional peer because it co-administers programs and serves as the political/administrative umbrella for entities like ECIA, and runs its own mapping/grant tracking initiatives.
• Northwest Area Regional Council of Governments: Iowa regional council of governments serving northwest Iowa counties. Comparable to ECIA on structure and program mix but in a different geography; useful for benchmarking how state-level COG funding gets allocated across Iowa's regions.
• Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization: MPO serving the Des Moines region in central Iowa. Comparable to ECIA on transportation planning, regional coordination, and federal funding mechanics, though more focused on transit/highway planning than housing and brownfields.

Emerging players

• Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA): ECIA subsidiary that runs Section 8, public housing, and TBRA programs in eastern Iowa. Listed as a peer (rather than internal entity) because comparable public housing authorities serve as benchmarks for federal HUD funding capture and program performance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http://ecia.org
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQJCzJBkn7f-qG3if--khXw/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/eastcentralintergovernmentalassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/east-central-intergovernmental-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about East Central Intergovernmental Association