Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa, today announced that Cindy Pelzer, housing program technician working from the agency’s Tipton, Iowa, office was selected as this month’s Vilsack Wallace award recipient for exceptional contributions to the USDA Rural Development mission.
The Vilsack-Wallace Award is given each month to a USDA Rural Development employee in Iowa who goes above and beyond their normal work duties to assist rural Iowans and USDA staff.
Pelzer has played an important role in helping the agency’s housing team accomplish their priorities and make steps toward meeting their funding goals this year.
“Her transition from our business and community programs to our housing programs earlier this year was tremendously smooth and of great assistance to the entire state,” Menner said. “Cindy’s quick learning and understanding of both the new program area and needs of the rural Iowans she is serving continues to be exceptional.”
She has been able to utilize her organization and time-management skills to USDA Rural Development’s fast-paced and sometimes complicated housing program requirements.
“Cindy always does her best, her positive support is inspiring and she is greatly appreciated as a team member,” Menner added.
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.
Contact USDA Rural Development
For more information about finance programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call the office located in Tipton at (563) 886-6006 Ext. 4. This office serves communities, businesses and residents in Benton, Cedar, Clinton, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Scott 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. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.