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USDA Partners to Improve Water Infrastructure in Rural Iowa Communities of Sheldahl and Marathon

Name
Darin Leach
City
Des Moines
Release Date

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $267 million in 103 infrastructure projects to upgrade water and wastewater systems in rural communities.  Two of those projects will help improve water infrastructure in the rural Iowa communities of Sheldahl and Marathon.

“Robust, modern infrastructure is foundational for quality of life and economic opportunity – no matter what zip code you live in,” Hazlett said. “Under Secretary Perdue’s leadership, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in addressing rural infrastructure needs to support a more prosperous future in rural communities.”

USDA is making investments in 35 states through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The funds can be used to finance drinking water, storm water drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

USDA’s partnerships are helping improve water infrastructure in rural Iowa.

The City of Sheldahl, population of 319 and located on the county lines of Polk, Boone and Story, is receiving a $444,000 loan and $634,000 grant from USDA Rural Development to finance a wastewater treatment facility upgrade used by the community.

Sheldahl owns and operates its own sewer collection system and pipes wastewater to the City of Slater for treatment in their aerated lagoons. Funds from this project will be used to pay Sheldahl's share of the new mechanical treatment plant in Slater and will ensure wastewater treatment is compliant with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) standards.

Also, the City of Marathon, population 237 in Buena Vista County, is receiving a $430,000 loan and $1,216,000 grant from USDA Rural Development to complete a capital improvement project that updates the city’s wastewater treatment system.

A new controlled discharge lagoon will be constructed to help Marathon meet IDNR requirements. The improvements will make needed improvements to an aging wastewater infrastructure and help improve the quality of life for residents in this community.

In FY 2018, Congress provided a historic level of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure. The 2018 Omnibus spending bill includes $5.2 billion for USDA loans and grants, up from $1.2 billion in FY 2017. It also directs Agriculture Secretary Perdue to make investments in rural communities with the greatest infrastructure needs.

Rural community leaders can apply for these funds electronically by using the interactive RD Apply tool. They can also apply through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.

Contact USDA Rural Development

Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/ia or by calling (515) 284-4663.

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.