DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 6, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today highlighted the Agency’s annual accomplishments in rural Iowa. USDA Rural Development invested $729,627,868 in obligated funding in Iowa for Fiscal Year 2022, assisting thousands of families, communities and businesses to build a better America.
“This is what we do at Rural Development—invest in the people, communities and businesses of rural Iowa,” said Director Greenfield. “Under President Biden’s leadership, USDA helps drive innovation, expand partnerships, access clean water and provide affordable housing. We look forward to building on this success in 2023.”
Here is a look at USDA Rural Development’s actions in 2022 in Iowa to rebuild our economy and rural communities, minimize impacts of climate change, create good-paying jobs for American workers, and invest in our families.
- The Single Family Housing Program helped 1,624 Iowa families achieve the American Dream of homeownership, with a total investment of $203,959,097 million. As an example of Rural Development’s support for increasing equity in socially vulnerable populations: North Iowa Area Council of Governments is receiving a Housing Preservation Grant for $104,276 to rehabilitate housing that is owned and occupied by very-low income people. This project will repair furnaces, plumbing, flooring, windows, roofing, siding, and electrical systems. The project will also install or repair accessibility features such as ramps and accessible bathroom fixtures.
- The Multi-Family Housing Program supported residents at facilities across the state, investing $26,708,897 million in safe, affordable housing.
- The Community Facilities Programs supported 110 projects to provide buildings, vehicles and other crucial support to rural communities for a total investment of $125,366,966 million. For example, the city of Fayette in Fayette County received a grant of $44,600 to help purchase communications equipment to replace outdated radios with new models. Law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services will use this equipment during emergencies to promote the safety of residents. The cities of Oelwein, Waucoma, and West Union in Fayette County received similar grants as part of the same county-wide modernization effort. Also, Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison received a $22,325,000 loan from the Community Facilities Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loans program to renovate and expand the facility to enhance outpatient clinics, construct telemedicine exam rooms and reconfigure physical therapy and rehabilitation services to promote the health of county residents and residents of the surrounding rural areas.
- The Water and Environmental Program invested $134,016,300 million in 47 projects to improve access to clean water and protect the environment in rural areas. For example, Harlan Municipal Utilities in Shelby County is receiving a $5,364,000 loan to help make water system improvements. This project will construct four new alluvial wells with well houses in the well field. The project will also install a fiber-optic communication system and a new electrical loop to connect all wells to a backup power generator at the treatment plant. These improvements will bring the system into compliance with water standards and promote the health and safety of the 4,766 residents of this rural community.
- USDA Rural Development also provided funding through Business Programs to 217 rural businesses, investing $173,504,756 million in energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, guaranteed loans and grants. In Cherokee County, C-M-L Telephone Cooperative Association will use a $300,000 grant from the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program to supplement its revolving loan fund which will then help construct a new ambulance station for Cherokee Regional Medical Center in Cherokee.
- The Telecommunications Programs invested $34,571,852 million in Iowa to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service and telephone service in eligible rural areas. For example, Complete Communication Services Corporation in Stratford is receiving a $3,797,296 loan to bring high-speed internet to 2,827 people, 77 businesses, five farms and three educational facilities in Hamilton County.
- The Electric Programs invested $31,500,000 in Iowa expand and modernize electric infrastructure. For example, Grundy County REC is receiving a $4,000,000 loan to connect 84 consumers and build and improve 31 miles of line.
Contact USDA Rural Development
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.
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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