WASHINGTON- Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development has awarded loans and grants totaling $2,016,595 through the Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program.
"These funds will help purchase, build or make necessary improvements to facilities important to these rural communities," Grassley said.
· Caring Hands Outreach Center in Altoona receives a $217,595 loan guarantee to help purchase an existing facility at 201 9th Street NE in Altoona to house a food pantry and a clothes closet to offer free food and clothing to eligible residents. Polk County was declared a Presidential Disaster area for community assistance.
· St. Francis Manor in Grinnell receives a $1 million direct loan to help remodel and expand. The loan will be for 40 years at 4.375 percent interest.
· Wellman receives a $399,000 loan and $400,000 grant to help construct a 38,935 square foot community center and a 5,500 square foot child care center for 84 children ranging from infants to pre-schoolers. The loan will be for 40 years at 4.375 percent interest. Washington County was declared a Presidential Disaster area for both individual and community assistance.
The Community Facilities Loan and Grant program provides grants, loans and loan guarantees to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population.