WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that a total of $306,000 will be coming to seven Iowa counties, businesses, and institutions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program for rural development projects across the state. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Appropriations subcommittee that funds these initiatives.
“While our economy recovers, it is important that we continue to make investments that promote businesses, create jobs, build recreation areas, and improve our state’s small towns,” said Harkin. “I commend Secretary Vilsack and the Obama administration for continuing to make these important investments through the RBEG program, I congratulate the Iowa recipients of these awards, and I look forward to seeing these funds used to invest in rural projects so critical to the social fabric and economy of our state.”
Details of the funding are listed below:
Cass County – $11,554 to provide technical assistance for developing sustainable and economically successful local foods systems that support farm-based businesses and entrepreneurs.
Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance – $19,600 to provide technical assistance.
Iowa State University of Science and Technology – $59,420 to provide technical assistance to support the development of a Standard Operating Procedures Manual to benefit large-scale business start-ups.
ISED Ventures – $99,000 for technical assistance and training toward Latino entrepreneurs to develop and grow sustainable businesses in Southeast Iowa.
Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce – $5,750 to develop a feasibility study, market analysis, and business plan for a community kitchen and local food business incubator and venue.
Ottumwa Progress, Inc. – $62,676 to provide technical assistance.
Winneshiek County Agricultural Extension District – $48,000 for the purchase of a refrigerated delivery truck and to provide technical assistance.
