USDA Invests $5 Million to Strengthen Communities, Businesses and Job Opportunities in rural Iowa
Investments will impact Appanoose, Audubon, Carroll, Clayton, Crawford, Decatur, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Harrison, Jackson, Poweshiek, Sac, Union, Van Buren, and Washington counties
DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 21, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $4,782,800 in loans and $268,500 in grants to 13 rural Iowa projects to help communities and businesses improve critical community infrastructure and promote economic development.
“These investments will help our rural neighbors establish and operate vital services, such as health care facilities, volunteer fire departments, and school transport,” said Director Greenfield. “Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has made improving communities and expanding access to capital for small business top priorities. When we address these needs with grants and loans, we help uplift rural Iowa.”
USDA Funded Projects:
-The city of Randolph in Fremont County received a $22,000 grant from the Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants program to prepare a water facility improvements plan. This project will produce a facility plan created by professional engineers that includes alternatives and recommendations to meet the rehabilitation needs of the entire water system. Once completed, the project will help guide the city's planning efforts and will promote the safety of the local water supply for the residents of this rural community.
- The city of Moulton received a $30,000 grant from the Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households program to complete a water system plan. This project will provide a plan with alternatives and recommendations created by engineers to address the needs of the city's water infrastructure. Once completed, this project will support much-needed improvements which will promote the health and safety of residents of this rural community in Appanoose County.
-Region XII Council of Governments in Carroll received a $1 million loan from the Intermediary Relending Program to expand the lending capacity of its revolving loan fund. This project will enable the organization, a voluntary association formed to facilitate multi-community collaboration, to finance development projects by providing loans to businesses in their seven-county region. Once completed, this project will promote economic progress and increase employment opportunities for residents in rural Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, and Sac counties.
-The Heart of Iowa Communications Cooperative received a $502,800 loan from the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program to help finance a pass-through loan to Steckelberg Veterinary Clinic, D.V.M. P.C. The project will enable the veterinary clinic to expand their existing facility and house a new office space and large farm animal clinic in Conrad. The project is expected to create four jobs in this rural Grundy County community.
-Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative Inc. received a $2 million loan from the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program to provide pass-through financing to Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua. This project will renovate and expand the healthcare facility. The project is expected to create three new jobs and promote economic development in this rural community.
-T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative received a $1,280,000 loan from the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program to finance a pass-through loan to Farmers Cooperative Association & Vision Ag LLC in Keota. This project will upgrade the feed mill to improve efficiency and increase production. The project is expected to create four new jobs and promote economic development in this rural Washington County community.
Community Facilities Grants
-The city of Coon Rapids received a $45,600 grant to purchase equipment. This project will provide 14 air packs and related materials to facilitate firefighting and rescue operations. The project will replace the fire department's expired air packs. Once in service, this equipment will help safeguard the lives of the city's fire volunteers during the dangerous situations they may encounter while serving the emergency needs of this rural Carroll County community.
-The city of Monona received a $21,700 grant to purchase a vehicle. This project will provide a new law enforcement patrol unit for the city's police department. Once in operation, the new vehicle will promote the safety of residents and law enforcement personnel in this rural Clayton County community.
-The city of Grand River received a $6,000 grant to purchase equipment. This project will provide a new street sander to mitigate icy and snowy road conditions in winter. Once in operation, the sander will promote the safety of motorists and pedestrians during poor weather conditions in this rural Decatur County community.
-Woodbine Community School District received a $35,700 grant to purchase a vehicle. This project will provide an 11-passenger van to transport small groups of students. Once in operation, the vehicle will increase operational efficiencies and promote the safety of school district passengers in this rural Harrison County community.
-The city of Sabula received a $28,900 grant to purchase equipment for the volunteer fire department. This project will provide five sets of breathing apparatuses which will facilitate firefighting and rescue operations. Once in service, this equipment will help safeguard the lives of the city's fire volunteers during the dangerous situations that they may encounter while serving the emergency needs of this rural Jackson County community.
-Grinnell Regional Medical Center received a $50,000 grant to purchase equipment. This project will provide oncology chairs for the new expanded oncology clinic located in Grinnell. Once installed, these chairs will facilitate a variety of cancer treatments and promote the health of residents of this rural Poweshiek County community as well as residents of surrounding communities.
-The city of Creston received a $28,600 grant to purchase a law enforcement vehicle. This project will replace an aging patrol unit with a new model for the city's law enforcement department. Once in operation, the new vehicle will increase operational efficiency and promote the safety of residents and law enforcement personnel in this rural Union County community.
Contact USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal, and high-poverty areas.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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