Impacts in Adair, Adams, Bremer, Butler, Clay, Johnson, Polk, and Story counties
DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 4, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $2,373,747 in eight grants to projects in Iowa that promote rural small businesses, industry, public safety, and sanitation.
“From providing capital for essential public services to funding the growth of small businesses, USDA is supporting economic development in rural Iowa,” said Director Greenfield. “Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Vilsack, USDA is making sure that resources reach the people who need them the most by helping to create jobs, provide water sanitation, and foster industry in rural Iowa.”
The investments were made through five different USDA programs.
-City of Greenfield received a $40,600 grant to purchase a vehicle through the Community Facility Disaster Grant program. This project will provide a law enforcement patrol unit for the city's law enforcement department.
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Recipients
The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses to create and retain employment in rural areas.
-Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative received a $300,000 grant to expand a revolving loan fund that it administers. This project will partially finance the construction of a new dental office for Smiley Family Dentistry LLC in Waverly in Bremer County. Once completed, this project will expand dental health services, create jobs, and promote economic development in this rural area.
-Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative received a $300,000 grant to replenish an existing revolving loan fund. This project will allow the cooperative to partially finance construction of an industrial building for Iowa Lakes Corridor Future Fund LLC in Spencer in Clay County. Repayment of this loan will be used for future business and community development projects through the revolving loan fund. This project will promote rural economic development in this rural area.
-Sharon Telephone Company received a $116,666 grant to establish a revolving loan fund. This project will partially finance a new heating system at Atrium Village Inc. in Hills, in Johnson County. The project will provide for the replacement of existing boilers and pumps at the nursing home facility that provides 24-hour medical care for residents. This project is expected to create 10 jobs, improve healthcare services, and promote economic development in this rural community.
-Spencer Municipal Utilities received a $300,000 grant to replenish an existing revolving loan fund that it administers. This project will make an initial loan from this funding to Iowa Lakes Corridor Future Fund LLC to partially finance construction of an industrial building in Spencer in Clay County. Repayment of this loan will be used for future business and community development projects through the revolving loan fund. This project will promote rural economic development in this rural area.
Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grant Recipient
USDA’s program provides help to eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects. Read more. Check eligible addresses.
-Southern Iowa Rural Water Association received a $30,000 grant to complete a preliminary engineering report for the city of Prescott's sewer system. This project will produce, in coordination with professional engineers, a summary of the condition of the city's wastewater utility and will include alternatives and recommendations for the system to meet water quality compliance requirements. Prescott is in Adams County.
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center Grant Recipient
-Iowa State University of Science and Technology in Story County received a $1,186,481 grant. The investment will be used to assist Iowa State University's AgMRC center with the ability to provide independent producers and processors with critical information needed to build successful value-added agricultural enterprises through the electronic resource information website. Resources and events provided through the efforts of AgMRC are also intended to support independent producers and processors that are submitting Value-Added Producer Grant applications. AgMRC strives to serve a national, value-added agriculture audience through its web platform and relationships with other land-grant universities and other technical assistance providers from across the country.
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Recipient
USDA Rural Development is making approximately $22 million available in funding through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. Read the recent stakeholder announcement here. The Agency is currently accepting applications for this program’s loans and grants to expand access to new and better markets for rural small business owners and entrepreneurs.
-Iowa Area Development Group LLC received a $100,000 program grant to provide business-based training and technical assistance to rural microenterprises throughout Iowa. This project will support the development and ongoing success of rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises. Based in Des Moines, Iowa Area Development Group is an organization specializing in project support for businesses and communities on behalf of Iowa electric and telecommunications utilities.
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.