DES MOINES, Iowa, July 25, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that USDA is investing $6,209,900 in ten grants to expand access to healthcare and food security in Iowa. Today’s investments are funded through the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants program.
“As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, USDA quickly delivered economic relief during one of the most critical times in our nation’s history,” said Director Greenfield. “The grants announced today will increase access to rural health care, help stabilize rural hospitals financially, and fight food insecurity in rural neighborhoods across Iowa by supporting the food pantry distribution system.”
Today’s news is part of a larger announcement. USDA is awarding $129 million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants to improve health care facilities in rural towns across the nation. The Iowa investments are:
-Decatur County Hospital in Leon is receiving a $274,600 grant to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19. This project will replace lost revenues caused by pandemic-related challenges. Once completed, the project will provide the hospital with financial resources to better serve the residents of this rural community and the surrounding rural areas.
-Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City is receiving a $1,000,000 grant to purchase and install heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This project will provide energy-efficient air handling units to enhance air quality and infection control inside the hospital. Once in operation, the new HVAC systems will help eliminate airborne pathogens, including COVID-19 threats, increase the comfort of patients, staff, and visitors, and promote the health of residents in this rural community and the surrounding rural areas.
-Food Bank of Iowa is receiving a $1,000,000 grant to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19. This project will reimburse the food bank for operating expenses associated with pandemic-related food distribution which took place on or after March 13, 2020, through September 30, 2022. The food bank, a non-profit organization based in Polk County, partners with other entities to distribute food to hungry Iowans. Once completed, the project will help fight food insecurity in rural areas across the state.
-Greene County Medical Center is receiving a $1,000,000 grant to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19. This project will replace lost revenues caused by pandemic-related challenges. Once completed, the project will provide the hospital in Jefferson with financial resources to better serve the residents of this rural community and the surrounding areas.
-Humboldt County Memorial Hospital in Humboldt is receiving a $249,900 grant to construct a new outpatient therapy and mental health clinic. This project will expand health care services, including services for mental health needs. Once completed, the project will implement preventive pandemic services and promote the health of residents of this rural county and surrounding rural areas.
-Knoxville Community Hospital is receiving a $699,900 grant to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project will replace lost revenues caused by pandemic-related challenges and mitigate the expenses of staffing and testing. Once completed, the project will provide the hospital with financial resources to better serve the residents of this rural community in Marion County.
-Lee County is receiving a $974,000 grant to construct a public health building in Fort Madison. This project will provide a public health facility with a main office, workspace for staff, ambulance bays, as well as space for testing for COVID-19 and future pandemics. Once completed, the project will better serve the health care needs of residents of this Lee County community and the surrounding rural area.
-Sioux Center Health in Sioux County is receiving a $125,200 grant to construct an infusion center. This project will build a separate entrance to the hospital for infusion foot traffic and will provide dedicated treatment bays to accommodate all types of intravenous treatments including those for chemotherapy, inflammatory bowel diseases, and infections. Once completed, this hospital expansion in Sioux County will improve medical services and promote the health of Sioux Center residents and residents of the surrounding rural areas.
-Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua is receiving a $419,700 grant to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project will replace lost revenues caused by pandemic-related challenges. Once completed, the project will provide the hospital with financial resources to better serve the residents of this rural community and the surrounding rural areas.
-Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton is receiving a $466,600 grant to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project will replace lost revenues caused by pandemic-related challenges. Once completed, the project will provide the hospital with financial resources to better serve the residents of this rural Benton County community and the surrounding rural areas.
Background: Emergency Rural Health Care Grants
Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021 to deliver immediate economic relief to people impacted by the pandemic. Within months after the Act’s passage, USDA responded quickly by making this funding available to ensure the long-term availability of rural health care services.
In August 2021, USDA made the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants available through the American Rescue Plan Act to help rural health care facilities, tribes and communities expand access to health care services and nutrition assistance.
The assistance is helping provide immediate relief to support rural hospitals, health care clinics and local communities. USDA is administering the funds through Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program.
Contact USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 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.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, Tribal, and high-poverty areas.
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.