USDA to Provide Over $31 Million in Federal Funding to Support Iowa Communities, Including $27.5 Million to Floyd County Medical Center

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that Iowa will receive $31.2 million in Rural Development funding, including $27.5 million to the Floyd County Medical Center. The funds will benefit Iowans in Floyd, Butler, Bremer, Linn, Story, Hancock, Wright, Montgomery, Woodbury and Webster counties. Grassley toured Floyd County Medical Center and held a Q&A with employees last year as part of his annual 99 county meetings, where they discussed USDA loans. “I’m glad to see these funds from USDA coming to support communities here in rural Iowa, including over $27 million to the Floyd County Medical Center. This money is a welcome boost for Iowans working to make their communities even better places to live, and will strengthen rural healthcare and create jobs,” Grassley said. “In the Senate, I’ll continue to be a voice for Iowans and work to help communities get the funding they need.” Details on the USDA awards follow: Floyd County Medical Center: $27,500,000 loan to help the hospital expand and renovate. This project will build a one-story addition, renovate most of the north wing and establish new surgery, dietary and material management departments. The project is expected to create 20 new jobs. Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative: $1,000,000 to fund a pass-through loan from Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative to United Equipment Accessories Inc. This project will purchase equipment and buy an existing facility to help the industrial manufacturing company expand business in Waverly. The project is expected to create 18 new jobs. Corn Belt Power Cooperative and Prairie Energy Group: $1,000,000 and $300,000, respectively, to help finance the Belmond Community Hospital’s expansion in Garner. Central Iowa Power Cooperative: $824,682 to fund a pass-through loan from Central Iowa Power Cooperative to Mid-States Material Handling & Fabrication Inc. This project will purchase equipment to increase production capacity at the manufacturing facility in Nevada and create eight new jobs. Farmers Mutual Telephone Company: $300,000 to replenish an existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) that is administered by the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Stanton. This project will loan funds from the RLF to the city of Stanton to partially finance the purchase of a new fire and rescue vehicle. Woodbury County Rural Electric Coop: $300,000 to replenish an existing RLF administered by the Rural Electric Woodbury County Coop. The initial loan from the funding will partially finance construction costs to expand the fire station and emergency medical services for the city of Lawton. City of Otho: $33,000 to help the City of Otho with technical assistance to plan water system improvements, including the evaluation of water infrastructure, source alternatives, emergency connections and water meters. The project will also deliver a report including recommendations, alternatives and costs for improvements. -30-