Iowa Ag Connection - USDA Rural Development Funding in Iowa Tops $70 Million

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USDA Rural Development Funding in Iowa Tops $70 Million
Iowa Ag Connection - 05/04/2016

U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Rural Development mission area continues its strong investment into rural Iowa by awarding more than $70 million during the first half of the 2016 fiscal year to assist 24 community and local infrastructure projects.

"We are the only federal agency that solely focuses on the viability of rural communities and areas which are so important to our state and nation," said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development state director in Iowa. "Every day our dedicated staff is helping to improve the quality of life and economic opportunities for the rural communities, businesses and residents we serve throughout Iowa."

This funding includes $13 million to support 12 projects that will help improve water services to rural Iowans. Some of the projects include:

-- $2 million in loan and grant funds to the City of Wiota in Cass County to assist with making essential improvements to its municipal water system

-- $4.20 million in loan and grant funds to the City of Coggon in Linn County to construct a wastewater treatment plant and make other needed system improvements throughout the system

-- $2.36 million in loan and grant funds to the City of Adair to replace existing water mains, install a reverse osmosis treatment system and other improvements to the water system

More than $60 million was awarded through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program during the first half of the fiscal year to assist with a variety of projects such as:

-- $25 million loan to assist with expansion of Methodist Manor nursing home in Storm Lake

-- $20.85 million loan to assist with the remodeling and expansion of Hegg Memorial Hospital in Rock Valley in Sioux County

-- $14.15 million loan to assist with the building a new senior living community that will initially consist of 56 assisted-living apartments for serving residents in Hiawatha in Linn County

-- $520,000 loan to assist with the construction of a new multi-purpose building at Wildwood Hills Ranch which offers year round support programs for at-risk youth -Additionally, seven grants each totaling less than $40,000 were awarded to rural communities to help purchase such things as fire trucks and other fire-fighting equipment, police cars and snow-removal equipment.

USDA Rural Development's funding supporting community and infrastructure projects in rural Iowa topped $134 million in 2015 and could surpass $200 million this year based on projects awarded and applications in process.

Agency programs also provide housing opportunities for thousands of rural Iowans and support a wide variety of job-creation activities. USDA Rural Development's total investment in rural Iowa during 2015 reached nearly $650 million.

"USDA Rural Development's funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa," Menner added. "Since 2009, our agency has invested more than $4 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families."

USDA Rural Development can help rural communities and regions grow and prosper by offering a variety of financial and technical assistance programs that encourage the development of strong community and economic development strategies.

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 to drive the economy," Menner added. We are very happy to be a partner with all the communities we serve as they work hard to make investments that will impact many future generations."

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