WASHINGTON - Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development has awarded one loan totaling $5,300,000 and three grants totaling $50,205 to Iowa through the Community Facility Grant program, the Economic Impact Initiative Grant program, and the Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan program.
“The community facility and economic impact grants will help these communities have accessible and better facilities for their residents. The water loan will help bring additional water supply to the Hospers area. All of these funds will be used to make Iowa an even better place to live,” Grassley said.
The Office of Rural Development will distribute the funds as shown below organized alphabetically by town.
• Decatur will receive an $11,580 grant, to purchase energy efficient products, and make handicap accessibility improvements to the community center, through the Community Facility Grant program
• Exline will receive a $28,125 grant, to purchase an energy efficient heating and cooling system and an emergency generator for the community center/shelter, through the Economic Impact Initiative Grant program
• Griswold will receive a $10,500 grant, to purchase computer equipment for the Griswold Public Library, through the Economic Impact Initiative Grant program
• Rural Water System Number 1 in Hospers will receive a $5,300,000 loan, to finance expansion of the Hospers Well Field to provide an additional water source for the system, through the Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan program
According to the USDA, 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.
The Economic Impact Initiative Grant program provides fund for a many community needs, including road maintenance equipment, police vehicles, computer and communication equipment, energy improvements and municipal buildings.
The Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed 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 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.