A dedication ceremony today at a new greenhouse facility just north of Ottumwa will expand work opportunities for people with disabilities and increase local food options all throughout southeast Iowa.
The large 88-foot by 128-foot, four-bay hydroponic greenhouse, which is operated by Tenco, Inc., received a $70,000 USDA Rural Development business grant that assisted with purchasing various pieces of equipment for the facility.
“We are very pleased to be helping with this exciting greenhouse project that both builds opportunities for people with disabilities to work and learn life skills and also expands opportunities to purchase locally grown foods,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Helping leaders in communities such as Ottumwa identify ways to improve quality-of-life opportunities for all rural Iowans is an important emphasis at USDA Rural Development.”
Tenco Inc. was founded in 1965 and currently serves more than 250 people with disabilities through vocational centers, day programs and residential services in Fairfield, Ottumwa, Keosauqua, Knoxville and Centerville.
The non-profit corporation currently operates a smaller greenhouse out of its Fairfield location and sells produce to such outlets as Market on Main in Ottumwa, Hy-Vee stores in Ottumwa and Fairfield, the farmers’ market in Fairfield, On-the-Green Restaurant in Oskaloosa, the Grass Roots Café in Humeston, as well as at the Drakesville produce auction.
The new and bigger greenhouse facility near Ottumwa will allow Tenco to offer more vocational opportunities to people with disabilities and expand its product offering and distribution network with tomatoes and lettuce grown year round using state-of-the-art hydroponic and climate-control systems. There are future plans to expand to other types of produce.
USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $4 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.
This past year USDA Rural Development’s assistance in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,400 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 60 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.
“We are proud to serve the needs of rural people and places to ensure that rural America continues to thrive and drive the economy,” Menner added. “We are very happy to be a partner with all the communities we serve as they work hard to make investments that will impact many future generations.”
Contact USDA Rural Development
Residents, businesses and communities in Appanoose, Davis, Jasper, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello and Wayne Counties are served by the USDA Rural Development office in Albia. For more information please call (641) 932-3031 Ext. 4. or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia.
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 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.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has produced historic investment in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have strengthened America’s small towns and cities and helped improve the nation’s economy.