Staff from USDA Rural Development today participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new community center in Arlington. The multi-purpose building will be used for senior activities, a community meal site, host after-school programs and provide a place for meetings and receptions.
USDA Rural Development provided a $200,000 grant from its Community Facilities program to assist with the project. This program helps improve the quality of life in rural America through community development loans and grants for healthcare facilities, fire and rescue programs, as well as public facilities and community-support services.
“We are pleased to be assisting with this important project for the residents of Arlington and surrounding areas,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Community centers such as this one are the heartbeat of the community where people from in and around the community come for regular fellowship, as well as to celebrate weddings, graduations, anniversaries and other once-in-a-lifetime milestones.”
The City of Arlington lost its only restaurant to a fire leaving the community with no place to hold events or meetings. The closed community school building was razed and the area cleaned up so this new community center could be built. The center will give local residents of all ages a place to gather and socialize and bring a sense of pride to the community.
This is the last project in Iowa to be completed utilizing funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Because of ARRA more than $364 million that otherwise would not have been invested allowed USDA Rural Development to provide affordable housing, build critical rural infrastructure, provide jobs and access to capital, and extend high-speed broadband services in rural Iowa.
“Keeping rural Iowa vibrant and prosperous requires a dedication to innovation, education and infrastructure,” Menner added. “Loans and grants from USDA Rural Development play a vital role in our rural communities’ efforts to grow and thrive.”
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.
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.
Contact USDA Rural Development
For more information about finance programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call the office located in Waverly at (319) 352-1715 Ext. 4. This office serves communities, businesses and residents in Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.
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.
Further information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting the agency’s web site at www.rd.usda.gov/ia.
USDA Rural Development is working with rural communities to create jobs, expand opportunity, encourage innovation and build a strong foundation for the future. The agency currently administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility loan and grant programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents and farmers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
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.