WASHINGTON- Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development has awarded competitive loans and grants totaling $1,152,046 to Iowa through the Community Facility Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program and the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.
“This funding will help make improvements for rural residents in Chariton and Superior,” Grassley said.
The Office of Rural Development will distribute the funds as shown below.
•Lucas County Area Agency on Aging in Chariton receives a $4,046 grant through the Community Facility Economic Impact Initiative Grant program to help purchase tables and chairs for the Ch ariton Senior Center and meal site.
•Superior receives a $574,000 loan and $574,000 grant through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program to help construct a centralized wastewater system to benefit 66 rural residents and businesses. This project will bring Superior into compliance with Iowa Department of Natural Resources standards. The loan is for 40 years at 3.25 percent interest.
The Community Facility Economic Impact Initiative Grant program provides grants to eligible communities with populations under 20,000 to assist them with projects that will provide an economic stimulus to their community.
The Water and Waste Disposal Loan program provides funding to develop water and waste disposal systems, including solid waste disposal and storm drainage, in rural areas and towns with a population not in excess of 10,000.
Each year, thousands of local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants and loans 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.