USDA Rural Development Invests $45 Million in 18 Projects for Small Business and Public Works in Rural Iowa
Impacts in Audubon, Chickasaw, Clarke, Greene, Humboldt, Jackson, Linn, Monona, Montgomery, Muscatine, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Story, and Union counties
DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 18, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $1,213,603 in 13 grants and $43,957,700 in 5 loans to projects in Iowa that promote rural small businesses, provide technical assistance, and support public works infrastructure.
“This past week, many Iowans experienced intense snowstorms,” said Director Greenfield. “We have been reminded just how critical it is to have response vehicles, sirens, emergency radios and road maintenance equipment to deal with severe weather events, especially in our rural neighborhoods. These investments are one way President Biden’s Invest in America helps to build and grow our rural communities.” Audio: WAV, 21 seconds, 3.69 MB.
The 18 investments were made through three different USDA programs.
Rural Business Development Grant Recipient
The Rural Business Development Grant program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small businesses.
-Greene County Development Corp. received a $95,703 grant to provide technical assistance to emerging businesses in Greene County, Iowa. The project will provide training and planning assistance to develop Nueva Vida en Greene County into a resource for rural residents. The project is expected to advance economic development and create six jobs in this rural area.
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Recipients
The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides zero-interest loans to local utilities organizations which in turn pass the funding through to local businesses. Recipients are:
-Colo Telephone Company received a $2,000,000 loan to fund a pass-through loan to Mid-States Material Handling & Fabrication, Inc. in Nevada. This project will renovate and construct the manufacturing facility and will purchase equipment for it. The project will promote rural economic development in Story County.
-Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative received a $279,426 grant to fund a pass-through loan to Iowa Central Community College in Storm Lake. This project will construct a campus learning center and purchase equipment. Once completed, the project is expected to promote economic development in this rural Pocahontas County community.
-Eastern Iowa Light and Power Cooperative received a $300,000 grant to replenish a revolving loan fund. This project will partially finance construction of a healthcare facility in Muscatine. Once completed, this project will expand health services and promote economic development in this rural Muscatine County community.
-Eastern Iowa Light and Power Cooperative received a $2,000,000 loan to fund a pass-through loan to Muscatine Health Support Fund, LLC. This project will construct a health facility in the town of Muscatine. Once completed, the project will promote economic development in this rural community in Muscatine County.
-Central Iowa Power Cooperative received a $2,000,000 loan to fund a pass-through loan to United Farmers Cooperative in Osceola. This project will build a large-capacity 870,000 bushel grain bin to facilitate additional grain storage and sales for grain producers. Once completed, this project is expected to promote rural economic development in Clarke County.
- New Hampton Municipal Power Plant received a $215,974 grant to help fund a pass-through loan to Little Sprouts Childrens Center of New Hampton. This project will construct a new childcare center in New Hampton. Once completed, the project is expected to promote economic development in this rural area of Chickasaw County.
Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants Recipients
The Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings. Recipients are:
-Loring Hospital in Sac City received a $37,137,700 loan to construct an addition. This project will provide 9,400 square feet of additional space to be used for a primary care clinic, an emergency patient walk-in entrance, an emergency department renovation and expansion, an updated and expanded pharmacy, a renovated laboratory, a consultation center, a new hospital entrance, specialty clinic pods with an infusion center, and therapy, cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation space. Once completed, this project will improve medical services and promote the health and safety of residents and visitors of this rural Sac County community.
-Linn County Fire District #3 received a $820,000 loan to help build infrastructure. This project will renovate and expand the district's fire station which is essential for the safe operation of emergency services. The project will promote the safety and security of the residents of this rural Linn County community.
-City of Villisca received a $50,000 grant to purchase equipment for the city of Villisca. This project will provide two automated external defibrillators to the city's ambulances. These medical devices are designed to analyze heart function in emergency situations, then deliver a shock to restore normal heart rhythm. Once completed, this project will promote the health and safety of residents and visitors to this rural Montgomery County community.
-City of Villisca received a $28,900 grant to purchase hydraulic rescue equipment. This project will provide a new Jaws of Life for fire department operations. This equipment will facilitate emergency response services and promote the safety of residents and visitors of this rural Montgomery County community.
-City of Lu Verne received a $50,000 grant to help purchase a vehicle. This project will provide a sanitation truck to provide essential public services. Once completed, the project will help the city mitigate sanitation hazards and will promote public health standards for residents of this rural Humboldt County community.
-City of Exira received a $28,900 grant to help replace the roof on the fire station. This project will provide a reliable roof to protect essential emergency service vehicles and stored equipment used by the city's volunteer fire department. Once in service, the new fire station roof will better serve the safety needs of residents of this rural Audubon County community.
-City of Afton received a $17,700 grant to help purchase a new early warning storm siren. This project will alert people inside the city limits during emergency situations. The siren is essential equipment which will improve public safety measures during severe weather and will help protect the residents of this rural Union County community.
-City of Hawarden received a $50,000 grant to help Hawarden Municipal Utilities purchase a snowplow to facilitate winter storm operations. This project will help make transportation routes safer for motorists and pedestrians in this rural Sioux County community.
-City of Soldier received a $28,900 grant to help purchase a work truck and a utility vehicle. This project will facilitate city maintenance operations. Once in service, the vehicles will deliver improved essential services and promote the health and safety of residents of this rural Monona County community.
-Imagine the Possibilities, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides residential and vocational services to individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout Iowa, received a $39,200 grant to help purchase a vehicle. This project will provide a van to transport clients. The project will enable the organization to improve passenger safety in Jackson County.
-The city of Gilmore City received a $28,900 grant to purchase equipment. This project will provide emergency radios and pagers for the city's fire department. Once in service, this equipment will promote the health and safety of the residents of this rural Humboldt 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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