Recent USDA Rural Development Funding Assists with Projects in Bedford, Corning and Winterset
Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa, today toured three southwest Iowa communities to get a first-hand look at various projects that have recently been assisted with USDA Rural Development funding.
State Director Menner began his day by participating in the grand opening of the renovated Taylor County Outreach Center in Bedford. The center is operated by MATURA, a community action agency for Madison, Adams, Taylor, Union, Ringgold and Adair Counties. USDA Rural Development funds assisted with the capital improvements by providing a $4,500 grant to help purchase appliances for the educational and teaching kitchen that has been added to the facility. MATURA plans to use donated and locally grown food products in its educational food programs.
“The interest in locally grown foods continues to expand all across Iowa,” Menner said. “Continuing to look for ways to promote the value of locally produced foods is an extremely important activity.”
State Director Menner then stopped by Corning in nearby Adams County where he visited with staff at Midwest Opportunities, Inc. Midwest Opportunities, Inc. of Corning recently received USDA Rural Development Economic Impact Initiative Grants totaling $80,000.
The organization is using the funding to help purchase a wheelchair accessible van to assist with transporting clients, as well replace siding, doors and windows at two intermediate residential care residences in the community.
Before leaving Corning, State Director Menner toured the replacement fire station that is currently under construction in the community. The City of Corning is using a $500,000
loan and $525,000 grant from USDA Rural Development to assist with the construction of a new fire station. The larger facility will have storage for multiple vehicles, gear and other equipment, a training room, kitchen area and office space.
State Director Menner concluded his day with a visit to the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset. Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc. in Greenfield recently received a $200,000 rural economic development grant from USDA Rural Development.
The electric cooperative, in turn, is loaning the money to the John Wayne Birthplace Society to assist with construction of a new museum building that is expected to be open in the spring of 2015. Additionally, the museum received a $10,000 USDA grant that will be used to purchase a display case and other equipment for the new building.
USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $3 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.
This past year USDA Rural Development’s investment in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,600 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 60 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.
“If you have an idea on how jobs can be created in rural Iowa, or how a rural community can improve the quality of life experience for their residents, give us a call today,” Menner added.
Contact USDA Rural Development
For more information about finance programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call the office located in Atlantic at (712) 243-2107 Ext. 4. This office serves communities, businesses and residents in Adams, Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Shelby and Taylor Counties.
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 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.
Further information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting the agency’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia.
USDA Rural Development is working with rural communities to create jobs, expand opportunity, encourage innovation and build a strong foundation for the future. The agency currently administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility loan and grant programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents and farmers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.
Source:usda.gov