Iowa Counties impacted: Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Montgomery, Page, Polk, Taylor, Wayne and Wright. In Nebraska: Lancaster County. Window for new grant applications now open.
DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 29, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $1,823,465 in three grants to provide telemedicine and distance learning services to increase access to education, training, and healthcare resources that are otherwise limited or unavailable in rural Iowa.
“Modern hospital services are essential to quality of life in rural neighborhoods, and these grants announced today enable rural patients to access medical professionals without leaving home,” said Director Greenfield. “This effort is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal that every Iowan has access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.”
The three awards for Iowa healthcare providers came through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants program. This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other and the world to overcome the effects of remoteness and low population density.
-Clarinda Regional Health Center in Clarinda received a $399,670 grant to equip two hub/end-user and eight end-user sites throughout Page, Montgomery, and Taylor counties in Iowa and Lancaster County in Nebraska with a telehealth platform used to increase access to quality, local, specialty care. Medical professionals at Bryan Health, Clarinda Regional Health Center, and Clarinda Mental Health Center will deliver specialized care, close to home including mental health services to eight rural locations benefitting 15,000 area residents.
-Belmond Community Hospital in Belmond received a $463,644 grant to equip five hub/end-user sites, one end-user site, and multiple non-fixed locations throughout Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, and Wright counties in north central Iowa with telehealth computer software, cyber security software and at-home patient devices for telehealth appointments. Medical professionals at Iowa Specialty Hospital will deliver mental health care to six locations benefitting 2,900 individuals.
-Wayne County Hospital in Corydon received a $960,151 grant to equip one hub site, three hub/end-user sites, and three end-user sites in Wayne County, Polk County and surrounding south central Iowa with telemedicine carts and other necessary equipment to establish an electronic Intensive Care Unit and telepharmacy program. Medical professionals at MercyOne in Des Moines and at Wayne County Hospital in Corydon will deliver specialty electronic Intensive Care Unit services and provide easier access to pharmaceutical consultations, patient counseling, drug therapy monitoring, and refill authorizations to six locations benefitting 10,289 residents.
Application Window Opens for DLT Program Today—Closes April 29, 2024
Today, USDA is making approximately $60 million in funding available under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant program and begins inviting applications for these grants. This program funds distance learning and telemedicine services, like audio and video equipment, to digitally connect people to education, training and health care resources that are limited or unavailable in remote parts of the country.
For example, DLT funding expands opportunities for:
- Students to participate in classes that may be in places that are too far to access in person.
- Teachers to provide their expertise, trainings and educational services to students across the country.
- Patients to seek specialized care and treatment from medical professionals without needing to leave their homes or communities.
Eligible applicants include state and local governmental entities, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofits and for-profit businesses.
USDA is particularly interested in applications that will advance Biden-Harris Administration priorities to:
- Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.
- Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development programs and benefit from RD-funded projects.
- Help rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov no later than April 29, 2024. Additional program information is available online and via the Feb. 29, 2024, Federal Register.
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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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.