Funding for Rural Capacity Building, Workforce Development and Business Planning Initiatives Will Benefit Over 2,200 Iowans
DES MOINES, Nov. 2, 2020 – The Trump Administration, along with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Iowa Grant Menke, today announced that the USDA is investing $189,600 in two projects to support essential technical assistance and training in rural Iowa. These projects, funded through the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program will benefit 2,227 rural residents in Iowa.
“Investing in training and technical assistance is critical to identifying and planning for community facility needs in rural Iowa,” said Menke. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner to equip rural communities with the tools and resources necessary to succeed, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
The following project investments were announced today in Iowa:
· In Postville, Iowa, Upper Explorerland will use a $39,600 grant to provide technical assistance and training focused on supporting rural communities, workforce and leadership development. Upper Explorerland will assist communities in its service area by assessing existing data, assessing and prioritizing community needs, and providing assistance in taking projects to fruition.
· In Polk County, First Children’s Finance will use a $150,000 grant to provide technical assistance and training to recipient child care entities on the following topics: child care as a business, use and elements of business plans, understanding marketing and enrollment concepts, financial statements and procedures, cash flows and solutions for tight cash situations, budgeting, tuition and pricing, facilities and equipment management, and leading, directing, and managing staff. This training will provide great opportunities for recipient childcare facilities.
Background:
USDA is investing in two projects in rural Iowa through the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program. Under this program, USDA Rural Development makes grants to public bodies and private nonprofit corporations to provide Technical Assistance and/or training with respect to essential community facilities programs. The Technical Assistance and/or training will assist communities, Indian Tribes, and Nonprofit Corporations to identify and plan for community facility needs that exist in their areas. Once those needs have been identified, the Grantee can assist in identifying public and private resources to finance those identified community facility needs.
Interested parties should contact their local USDA Rural Development Iowa Office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details.
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million residents living in rural Iowa. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with local offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly. These offices help to provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas.
For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia or call (515) 284-4663. Follow us on Twitter @RD_Iowa.
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