Earlier this month Greg Thompson, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development state environmental coordinator in Iowa, received a 2016 USDA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Thompson, a Clarence resident, was recognized by USDA for 25 years of service as an emergency medical technician (EMT) volunteer with the Clarence Community Ambulance Service which provides emergency services to Clarence, Lowden, Stanwood and Massillon and surrounding areas in northern Cedar County.
Along with being ready to respond to an ambulance call night by being within the required three-mile radius of the ambulance building, Thompson has written several successful grant applications for purchasing onboard and training equipment for the ambulance service. He also serves on the ambulance board of directors and helped to coordinate the construction of the initial ambulance building and ensuing recent expansion.
“I’m proud that Greg was chosen this year as one of just a handful of USDA employees across the country recognized for exemplary achievements and commitment to volunteer service,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Greg’s volunteerism with the Clarence Community Ambulance Service over the years indeed sets a gold standard. He has assisted hundreds of rural Iowans during extremely critical times of their lives.”
USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested $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 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 60 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 (515) 284-4663 or visit the agency’s web site at 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.