KDSN RADIO News
Manning Awarded AARP Grant to Boost Disaster Preparedness
The City of Manning is receiving a boost in community safety thanks to a 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant. Manning is one of just seven communities in Iowa selected for funding this year, with a total of $75,506 awarded statewide for projects aimed at enhancing livability, particularly for older adults.
Manning’s $2,500 grant will support a new disaster preparedness initiative. The funding will go toward assembling a community response kit to assist volunteers in safely and effectively helping residents during emergencies. It will also be used to host preparedness trainings, develop personal checklists, and encourage the creation of individual emergency kits for residents.
AARP Iowa State Director Michael Wagler said the initiative reflects a broader mission. “AARP Iowa is proud to work with communities across the state to help make them more livable for people of all ages,” Wagler said. “These projects are about turning great local ideas into real improvements to make life better, especially for older Iowans.”
Other Iowa communities receiving grants this year include Bloomfield for updated crosswalks, Bettendorf for an accessory dwelling unit design competition, and Holy Cross to upgrade tennis courts and add pickleball courts. Projects in Iowa City, Nevada, and Villisca will improve library accessibility, create inclusive downtown spaces, and add weatherproof signage to a local trail.
Since launching the program in 2017, AARP Iowa has awarded 42 grants totaling more than $457,000 to support quick-action efforts that make communities safer, healthier, and more connected.
