October 17, 2012
Harkin Applauds More Than $2.2 Million for Rural Job Opportunities in Iowa
WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Harkin (D-IA) today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for awarding a total of $2,274,996 for five rural development projects across the state. These funds were made available through several rural development programs. Harkin is a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee as well as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“Rural development funding goes a long way to help our communities make investments for future job creation," said Harkin. “From expanding manufacturing businesses to technological improvements for rural and underserved communities, these funds will be used improve our rural communities. I commend Secretary Vilsack for his work to strengthen our small towns and rural communities.”
Details of the projects follow:
The Central Iowa Power Cooperative – $2,000,000 through the Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (REDL&G) program to expand businesses in the region. Half of the funding will go to LDJ Manufacturing in Pella, and the other half will go to Precision Pulley, Inc. in Lenox.
The REDL&G program is funded through fees on guaranteeing Rural Utility Service eligible loans and other mechanisms. Senator Harkin considerably expanded resources available to the program in the 2002 farm bill as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.
Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development Area – $50,000 through the Rural Business Opportunity Grants program to provide technical assistance to new and existing farmers and ranchers, with an emphasis on underserved populations.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources – $49,996 through the Rural Business Opportunity Grants program to provide economic development technical assistance to rural communities.
Iowa State University of Science and Technology – $175,000 through the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program to support a center with four programs to assist cooperatives: the Cooperative Wealth Creation Demonstration Project, the Farm Conference and Food Hub Cooperative Education Track, the Veteran’s Cooperative Jobs Initiative, and the Purchasing Co-ops Rural Referral Network. Each program will serve rural areas in the United States.
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