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(Washington, D.C., August 9, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced $152 million in investments for 19 rural development projects in communities across the State of Iowa. These unprecedented, coordinated U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) project will help boost Iowa’s economy, develop rural infrastructure, and encourage private investment in America’s heartland.
“Rural communities across America are the backbone of our nation and President Trump is committed to investing in these communities so they continue to be productive and fulfilling places to live for generations to come,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “At USDA, we are proud to fund these historic levels of rural investment and remain committed to working with other federal, state and local government as well as the private sector, to advance President Trump’s vision for rural America. Rural prosperity is truly a national security issue. If our farmers and ranchers do not have the tools and resources to continue to farm, then we cannot feed ourselves. President Trump understands how important it is to have a safe, secure, and resilient farm economy.”
“I want to thank you and President Trump for putting our farmers first, and for investing $152 million to develop Iowa's rural communities. During this time of uncertainty in the ag economy, I’m so grateful to have a partner we can rely on,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. “Today’s announcement is great news for all the communities receiving these grants. I look forward to building on these efforts to make our rural communities stronger and more prosperous than ever.”
By the Numbers:
- Total Investment: $152 million
- Projects Funded: 19
- Sectors Impacted/Counties Impacted: 20
Healthcare Infrastructure
Investments supporting hospitals and medical facilities.
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Guthrie County Hospital – Receiving a $37 million loan to expand and renovate its facility. Funding will support:
- A 16,000 square foot addition to include a behavioral health room in the ER, an MRI room, exam rooms, and lab space
- Updates to the nurse call technology, new digital master and area alarm panels, and new sleep ventilators
- A fire suppression system for the ambulance garage
- Renovations to the dining hall and kitchen
Water and Wastewater Projects
Helping Iowa communities modernize systems and ensure clean, reliable access.
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City of Bondurant (Polk County) – Receiving $2.5 million grant to build a 1 million-gallon elevated water tower and main to prevent water pressure loss for 7,365 residents.
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City of Churdan (Greene County) – Receiving a $500,000 grant and a $2.5 million loan to upgrade its wastewater lagoon system, seal manholes, and bring the city into compliance with Greene County standards.
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City of Eldora (Hardin County) – Receiving a $1 million grant for improved wastewater system and data acquisition.
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City of Emmetsburg (Palo Alto County) – Receiving a $5 million grant and a $39 million loan to replace its outdated 1970s wastewater treatment facility.
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City of Ida Grove (Ida County) – Receiving a $1 million grant and a $9.5 million loan for wastewater system improvements and dry sludge store upgrades.
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City of Linn Grove (Buena Vista County) – Receiving a $319,000 grant and a $282,000 loan to connect the Iowa Lakes Regional Water supply and replace aged infrastructure.
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City of Mediapolis (Des Moines County) – Receiving a $2 million grant to install a new aeration system, biological reactor, and backup generator for wastewater treatment.
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City of Moulton (Appanoose County) – Receiving a $1.4 million loan to replace 35 lead service lines and upgrade aging water mains.
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Southern Sioux County Rural Water System (Plymouth and Sioux County) – Receiving a $27.7 million loan to build two wells, a treatment plant, and three miles of transmission lines.
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Southwest Regional Water District (Page County) – Receiving a $2 million loan to replace 6-inch pipes with 10-inch pipes, reducing water loss and increasing supply capacity.
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City of Sioux Rapids (Buena Vista County) – Receiving a $477,000 Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant to replace a well damaged by a flood.
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City of Shenandoah – Receiving a $1 million grant and $8.8 million loan to improve water supply and distribution, including two wells and a new transmission main.
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City of Ute (Monona County) – Receiving a $30,000 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant (SEARCH) to evaluate the city’s water system and complete a preliminary engineering report.
Transportation & Street Improvements
Making local roads safer and more accessible.
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City of Halbur (Carroll County) – Receiving a $500,000 loan to repave city streets, and ADA-compliant curb ramps and street crossings, and improve safety for motorists and pedestrians.
Rural Business & Job Growth
Investing in local economies and job creation through electric cooperatives.
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Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative – Receiving a $1 million load to fund a pass-through loan to Shell Rock Soy Processing LLC for equipment to increase processing capacity and add two new jobs to promote economic development in rural Butler County community.
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Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative – Receiving a $350,000 loan to fund a pass-through loan to Trackside Storage LLC to renovate a vacant building for a veterinary clinic and create 10 new jobs in Harrison County.
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North West Rural Electric Cooperative – Receiving a $300,000 grant to replenish a revolving loan fund to finance renovations and equipment at Life Skills Training Center Inc., creating six jobs and promoting economic development in rural Plymouth County.
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Southern Iowa Electric Co-op – Receiving $8.5 million through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program to improve electric distribution systems, connect 180 new consumers, build 15 miles of new lines, and upgrade 84 miles of existing lines, serving 4,807 residential and commercial consumers on 1,676 miles of energized line in Appanoose, Davis, Van Buren, and Wapello counties in southeast Iowa.
About USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs to promote rural prosperity. The commitment and resources we bring to rural communities help drive economic security and prosperity. Our programs expand access to high-speed internet, electric, and transportation infrastructure, and support business growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials. Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov.
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