WASHINGTON - Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development, has awarded five grants and loans totaling $202,630 to Iowa through the Community Facility Grant and Loan and Economic Impact Initiative Grant programs.
“The projects funded today will increase community facility accessibility and community safety for these areas,” Grassley said.
The Office of Rural Development will distribute the funds as shown below organized alphabetically by town.
• Floris will receive a $12,000 Community Facility Grant to convert the basement of the existing community center into a storm shelter, build a ramp to allow handicap access, purchase and install an emergency generator, replace the doors and resurface the floor.
• North Buena Vista will receive an $8,980 Economic Impact Grant to purchase a new box, spreader and associated equipment for a city snow plow.
• Villisca will receive a $45,650 Economic Impact Grant to purchase a new emergency warning siren system and emergency medical services equipment.
• Williamsburg will receive a $36,000 Community Facility Loan to assist with the completion of the childcare facility.
• Woodbine will receive a $100,000 Community Facility Disaster Grant to assist with the construction of a new addition to the existing fire station.
According to the USDA, Community Facility Grant and Loan funds may be used to construct, enlarge, or improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and community services. The Economic Impact Initiative Grant program provides grants to eligible communities with populations under 20,000 to assist with projects.
Each year, thousands of local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants from the federal government. The funding is then awarded based on each local organization or individual’s ability to meet criteria set by the federal entity.