DES MOINES, IOWA (August 28, 2023) — US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $13,435,000 in loans and $2,946,000 in grants to five projects in Iowa to strengthen infrastructure, promote business expansion and create jobs.
“Clean, safe water and reliable electricity are building blocks for creating strong rural communities where our families and our small businesses can thrive,” said Director Greenfield. “The investments announced today demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to ensuring that people in rural Iowa neighborhoods can prosper and find jobs right here at home.”
Today’s announcement for the city of Irwin advances the groundbreaking Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan for lead pipe remediation. With up to ten million American households connecting to water through lead pipes and service lines, the Administration is working aggressively to replace all lead-service lines in America in the next decade. USDA is partnering with communities to address this challenge through its various programs.
Today’s news is part of a larger USDA announcement. Find the list of all projects here.
The five Iowa projects are:
-North West Rural Electric Cooperative received a $300,000 grant through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program to replenish an existing revolving loan fund. The initial loan from the grant will assist in the financing of facility expansion of the Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center in Sioux County. Repayment of this loan will be used to make future business and community development loans. This project is expected to create eighteen jobs.
-Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative Inc. received a $1,640,000 loan through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program to fund a pass-through loan to Metal Wholesale LLC. This project will enable the business to purchase equipment to expand its existing product lines and increase production at its facility in Bloomfield in Davis County. The project will create twenty new jobs.
-Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative Inc. received a $300,000 grant through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program to expand a revolving-loan fund. This project will partially finance the renovation and expansion of Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua. Repayment of this loan will be used for future business and community development loans. This project will create three job opportunities.
-Grundy Electric Cooperative received a $10,000,000 loan through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program to connect 271 consumers and build and improve 115 miles of line. This project includes $960,000 in smart grid technologies. Grundy Electric, headquartered in Trenton, Missouri, serves 6,773 customers over approximately 2,244 miles of line in 12 counties in Missouri. The company also serves customers in Decatur, Ringgold, and Wayne counties in Iowa.
-The city of Irwin in Shelby County received a $1,795,000 loan and a $2,346,000 grant through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to make water distribution system improvements. This project will construct a new 35,000 gallon water tower and replace water mains with 6" PVC. This project will also replace older galvanized steel, cast iron, and lead service lines with copper lines and will eliminate four dead-end lines by adding two short loops. Once completed, this project will improve water security and storage, bring the city into compliance with water quality standards, and better protect the health and safety of 341 townspeople and residents of surrounding rural areas.
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 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.
