Iowa Area Development Group’s (IADG) and Iowa Network Services’ (INS) joint development partnership, Ripple Effect, has announced the award of the first two community planning grants each in the amount of $5,000.  The first grant was applied for by Farmers Mutual Telephone of Stanton and was given to the Friends of Stanton.  It will be used to assist in the cost of a feasibility study for Stanton’s multi-purpose community facility.  The second grant was applied for by Grand River Mutual Telephone and was given to Decatur County Development Corporation (DCDC) located in Leon, Iowa.  It will be used to assist in the completion of a labor shed study for Decatur County and used for marketing initiatives for DCDC.

The mission of the INS Ripple Effect program is to advance the economic health and vitality of rural Iowa by providing a resource assistance program to rural independent telecommunication companies for business and development in partnership with IADG.  For more information about these grants or the Ripple Effect program contact Sue Cosner, Vice President, Community Initiatives, Iowa Area Development Group, scosner@iadg.com, 800.888.4743.

Ripple Effect Makes First Impact