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Iowa Area Development Group to Receive National Award Nov. 5th at USDA Abraham Lincoln Honor Awards Ceremony

Name
Darin Leach
City
Des Moines
Release Date

Representatives from the Iowa Area Development Group (IADG) will be in Washington D.C. on Thursday, November 5th to receive a national award during the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Abraham Lincoln Honor Awards ceremony.

IADG will be recognized for expanding rural economic development opportunities in Iowa and across the nation by being a national advocate of USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.

“Iowa Area Development Group staff have made their knowledge and expertise with this program a cornerstone of their economic-development efforts,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “We are pleased they are receiving this prestigious award. In many ways, Iowa Area Development mirrors USDA’s approach to community and economic development.”

Over the years, IADG has been involved in more than 200 projects in Iowa receiving $82 million in USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program funding. These projects have also leveraged $635 million in capital investment, led to the creation of 15,000 rural Iowa jobs and established nearly 50 revolving loan funds for rural businesses and organizations to access across the state.

IADG has also been a national supporter for this USDA program by working through the electric and telecommunication associations to advocate for it to members of Congress. IADG has also led trainings to build the capacity of rural utilities in other states to successfully secure program funding through improved applications across the nation. 

USDA's Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program is administered by the USDA Rural Development mission area.

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 $3 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.

USDA Rural Development can help rural communities and regions grow and prosper by offering a variety of financial and technical assistance programs that encourage the development of strong community and economic development strategies.

This past year USDA Rural Development’s investment in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,400 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 50 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.

For more information about finance programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call (515) 284-4663 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 brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.