USDA gives $335,000 in rural business grants

Bill Menner, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director in Iowa, today announced that 6 entities in Iowa are receiving a total of $335,000 in Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) from the agency.

The funds will assist a variety of small and emerging businesses throughout the state by providing technical assistance, training and access to revolving loan funds.

“We are extremely pleased to be helping with so many efforts around the state that will strengthen the economy, create jobs, support business growth and expand opportunity for rural Iowans,” Menner said. “The Obama Administration is committed to ensuring that rural communities are economically vibrant and successful in their business-development and job-creation efforts.”

 Receiving funds include:

Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development, Amana - $50,000 grant

Funds will support the Women Land and Legacy effort which provides technical assistance to women who own or are developing businesses and farm operations. These funds will be used in Iowa, Tama and Poweshiek Counties.

City of Underwood - $42,820

Funds will used by the city to construct a building that will be used as a business incubator. The building will contain four commercial spaces for small and emerging businesses.

Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa - $70,000

Funds will be used to provide technical assistance to small and emerging businesses and entrepreneurs in southeast Iowa.

Northeast Iowa Community College Foundation, Calmar - $44,000

Funds will be used to provide technical assistance, consulting services and workshops for small and emerging businesses and entrepreneurs in northeast Iowa.

City of Elgin Mdash; $59,000

Funds will be used to start a revolving loan fund to assist businesses in Elgin.

Loess Hills Solutions, Inc., Council Bluffs mdash; $69,180

Funds will be used to develop training and certification programs for employees working at small businesses in southwest Iowa. Program topics will include such things as construction and ladder safety, as well as lead and mold remediation and detection.

Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

This past year USDA Rural Development's investment in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,900 jobs, aided 2,000 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 80 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.

Contact USDA Rural Development

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural areas and communities. 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 website at

www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia or by calling (515) 284-4663.