Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa, today announced that Hubbard Cooperative Telephone Association is receiving a $6,950,000 USDA loan to that will help the cooperative provide enhanced services and higher broadband speeds to additional rural customers.
“We are pleased to be assisting in this project that will provide new opportunities for people and businesses in rural Iowa,” Menner said. “Broadband has helped rural communities across the country gain access to improved health care, open the door to educational services and expand business and social opportunities.”
USDA Rural Development funds will be used to construct more than 140 miles of buried fiber and install upgraded electronic systems and equipment for expanded broadband service in and around the City of Hubbard located in Hardin County.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $350 million to help bring new and improved telecommunications and broadband services to hundreds of rural businesses and thousands of rural Iowans.
USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa. During the past seven years, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $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 assistance 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.
“We are proud to serve the needs of rural people and places to ensure that rural America continues to thrive and drive the economy,” Menner said. “We are very happy to be a partner with all the communities we serve as their leaders work hard to make investments that have long-lasting impacts to help improve the quality of life for rural residents.”
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 produced historic investment in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have strengthened America’s small towns and cities and helped improve the nation’s economy.