Impacts in Adams, Black Hawk, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cass, Clarke, Clayton, Harrison, Humboldt, Jones, Monroe, Montgomery, Pocahontas, Sac, Taylor, Webster and Wright counties
DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 12, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $1,084,171 in grants to 16 rural Iowa projects to connect medical professionals to patients, support water system planning, and establish basic quality-of-life and services for individuals and families in rural communities.
“City water plans, emergency response vehicles, and hospital technologies are all part of the critical infrastructure that underpins our lives here in Iowa,” said Director Greenfield. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is committed to doing everything we can to strengthen the fabric of our American economy and create prosperity in rural neighborhoods and hometowns across Iowa.”
With funding from the Distance Learning and Telemedicine program, Trinity Regional Medical Center received a $122,371 grant to equip one hub site and ten end-user sites throughout Buena Vista, Calhoun, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, and Wright counties in northern Iowa with telemedicine equipment. Medical professionals at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Webster County will provide nephrology, dermatology, pulmonology, women's health, pediatrics, and mental health care to ten locations benefiting 16,800 individuals.
Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grant Recipients
Three grants were funded through the Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants. The program is designed to assist eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects.
-City of Knierim received a $22,000 grant to help create a water facility plan developed by engineers. This project will address water system conditions and performance, including alternatives and recommendations, to meet the rehabilitation needs of the entire water system. This project will assist with the costs of planning for construction and will promote water quality for residents of this rural Calhoun County community.
-City of Murray received a $22,500 grant to help complete a wastewater system plan. The project will supply a plan created by engineers with alternatives and recommendations to address rehabilitation of the city's wastewater infrastructure. The project will help support much-needed wastewater upgrades that will promote the health and safety of residents of this rural community in Clarke County.
-City of Pisgah received a $22,000 grant to create a water facility plan developed by engineers. This project will address water system conditions and performance and will include alternatives and recommendations to meet the rehabilitation needs of the entire water system. This project will promote better water quality for residents of this rural Harrison County community.
Community Facilities Grant Recipients
Twelve of today’s investments were funded through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grants program. The program is designed to provide affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings.
-City of Gilbertville received a $500,000 grant to help build a facility. This project will construct an emergency services building to provide essential public services. Once built, this project will promote the safety of residents of this rural Black Hawk County community.
-City of Anamosa received a $21,000 grant to help purchase law enforcement equipment. This project will provide fingerprinting scanners, tables, chairs, cabinets, and animal kennels to facilitate law enforcement operations. Once completed, this project will increase operational efficiency and promote the safety of residents of this rural Jones County community.
-City of Griswold received a $7,100 grant to help purchase communications equipment. This project will provide voice pagers for the city's fire department personnel. Once completed, the project will streamline fire department operations and promote the safety of residents of this rural Cass County area.
-City of Lenox received a $43,000 grant to help purchase equipment for the fire department. This project will promote the operational efficiency of fire personnel. Once completed, the project will streamline fire department operations and promote the safety of residents of this rural Taylor County area.
-City of Volga Community in Clayton County received a $44,600 grant to help purchase a vehicle. This project will provide a utility truck for city road maintenance and snow removal operations. The city's current truck is nearly 30 years old and must be replaced. Once in place, the new vehicle will deliver improved essential services and promote the safety of residents in this rural community.
-Clarke County Public Hospital received a $43,000 grant to help purchase an ambulance. This project will provide a more reliable and comfortable unit with a power lift and ultraviolet disinfection. Once in place, this ambulance will promote the health and safety of residents of this rural area.
-City of Blockton received a $50,000 grant to help purchase a vehicle. This project will provide a tanker truck for the city’s volunteer fire department to increase water capacity in fire-fighting operations. Once in service, the project will promote the safety of residents and property in this rural Taylor County community.
-Montgomery County Memorial Hospital received a $50,000 grant to help purchase medical imaging equipment for Villisca Medical Clinic. This project will provide an X-ray machine to make more accurate diagnosis and to save patient travel time to distant hospitals. Once in place, the new equipment will promote the health and safety of residents of this rural Montgomery County area.
-City of Corning received a $49,000 grant to help remodel city hall. This project will renovate and update the shingles, concrete, and lighting on the building. Once completed, this project will better facilitate official business of the city and improve on-site safety for residents using the adjoining community center in this rural area in Adams County.
-City of Anita received a $50,000 grant to help purchase an ambulance. This project will expedite vehicle access to response sites and make patient transport safer and more reliable. Once in operation, the new ambulance will facilitate emergency services for the residents of Cass County and nearby rural areas.
-City of Albia received a $24,100 grant to help purchase a utility vehicle. This project will provide a task vehicle for the law enforcement department to support city operations and improve law enforcement services. Once in use, the new vehicle will increase operational efficiency and promote the safety of residents in this rural Monroe County community.
-City of Varina received a $13,500 grant to help purchase 12 sets of essential equipment for the fire department. This project will replace fire protection gear that is over 20 years old and has reached the end of functionality. Once completed, the project will protect firefighters, help streamline fire operations, and promote the safety of residents of this rural Pocahontas County community.
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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