DES MOINES, Iowa, May 14, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is awarding $29,784,000 in loans and $4,087,000 in grants to four projects in Iowa. The investments will improve access to reliable electricity, clean drinking water and sanitation.
“Clean, reliable water is essential to the health of Iowans, our communities, and our small businesses,” said Director Greenfield. “USDA is committed to lifting up rural America, so that all people in rural areas have access to water and electricity—the absolute building blocks of our economy. These investments will also help create good-paying jobs in right here in Iowa.”
Today’s announcement is part of a larger national announcement made at the White House's Community in Action: Building a Better America event.
Investment in Electricity
Maquoketa Valley REC received an $18,000,000 loan through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. This project will connect 318 consumers and build 23 miles of line. Maquoketa Valley REC is headquartered in the city of Anamosa, Iowa, serving, on average, 16,784 connected consumers through 3,313 miles of line through nine counties in northern Iowa.
Investments in Water
Funding for three of the projects came through the Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program.
-City of Churdan received a $2,009,000 loan and a $2,971,000 grant to help replace an aged water main and the elevated water tank. This project will replace 28,500 linear feet of water main with six inch PVC piping and install a 75,000 gallon elevated water tank. The project will also replace lead gooseneck fixtures to comply with water quality standards. Once completed, this project will promote the health and safety of residents in this rural Greene County community.
-City of Monticello received a $7,293,000 loan to provide additional funding to improve its wastewater treatment system. This project will address aged equipment and mechanical processes and will increase capacity to meet new water supply demands. The project will assist the city in complying with water quality standards. These improvements will promote the health and safety of the 3,746 residents of this rural Jones County community.
-Iowa Lakes Regional Water received a $2,482,000 loan and a $1,116,000 grant to help add 17 miles of main pipeline within the current system to serve the city of Mallard. This project will mitigate health and sanitation risks posed by arsenic contaminants in the city's drinking water since 2018. This project will serve current and future demands for clean water in this rural Palo Alto County community.
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.
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