USDA Rural Development Investments Awarded through Agency’s Community Facilities Programs
ANITA, Iowa, Nov. 10, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced $136,000 in Community Facilities Programs investments in Anita, Iowa. Torres Small made the announcement at the Anita Fire Department and toured the facilities afterward.
USDA Rural Development grants will assist with replacing the fire station roof, as well purchase an essential CPR chest compression system, a power cot, and 10 sets of fire protection gear to reduce safety risks for volunteer firefighters. Additionally, the grants will help renovate the city hall restrooms to accommodate individuals with disabilities and install a new security window to the city clerk's office.
“Having access to modern and reliable community infrastructure is a cornerstone to prosperity for rural towns and the people who call them home,” said Under Secretary Torres Small. “With sound investments in projects like the ones we’re announcing today in Anita, we can continue to make rural America a place where people feel safe and secure. A place where they want to set down roots. Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Vilsack, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural people everywhere because when rural America succeeds, all of America succeeds.”
This year USDA Rural Development invested nearly $80 million in Iowan community infrastructure through the Community Facilities Program. Nearly 400,000 rural Iowans will have access to new and improved community services and facilities because of these 149 community-improvement projects across the state.
Background: Community Facilities Program
Essential community infrastructure is key to ensuring that rural areas enjoy the same quality of life and services enjoyed by those in suburban and urban areas. Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These amenities help increase the competitiveness of rural communities in attracting and retaining businesses that provide employment and services for their residents.
For additional information on the program, check out Community Facilities Infrastructure Toolkit, a guide to helping organizations and community leaders better understand the process that is required to successfully develop and construct a new facility. This toolkit outlines the major capacity, credit, and logistical challenges that particularly confront America’s small towns and rural areas.
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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.