Iowa was pleased to receive $14.4 million from the USDA Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant (REDL&G) program to support Iowa projects. Ten loans totaling $13.5 million and three grants totaling $900,000 were awarded to rural electric utilities to support local projects. The USDA REDL&G program provides zero-interest pass-through loans to support projects that will create and retain jobs in rural areas. The grants initially establish, then enhance local Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) that serve as a source of project funding for years to come. To date, 73 RLFs have been created by IADG’s utility partners. 

The 20,000 sq. ft. Upper Elementary building in Grundy Center is being renovated for the 

Grundy Center Preschool & Childcare Center. Originally built in 1939, this building has housed schools at all levels, most recently home to the Grundy Community Preschool, YMCA, and Head Start Office. The renovation project includes transitioning the stage into two classrooms, adding washrooms in each classroom, constructing a new playground, and replacing the HVAC system. As a result of these improvements, the center will increase its capacity from 41 to 72 children and add full-time and part-time staff. Maroon & White Inc. was established in 2019 to support childcare and early education services in Grundy Center. They purchased the building and are overseeing the renovation. Utility: Grundy Center Municipal Utilities REDG: $300,000 to create a new RLF Match: $60,000 from Grundy Center Municipal Utilities

LDJ Manufacturing is embarking on a 25,000 sq. ft. expansion project to their manufacturing facility in Pella. This expansion is driven by a sharp increase in demand for the Thunder Creek Equipment brand of mobile fueling products. The expansion will allow for adequate assembly and warehousing space and added assembly lines, powered bridge cranes, crane runways, and additional workstations for employees. A concrete paved area surrounding the new addition will accommodate finished product staging for loading outbound trailers, reducing the congestion of the current shipping and receiving location. Utility: Pella Cooperative Electric Association REDL: $1,500,000

Western Iowa Energy is undergoing a facility expansion and upgrade to increase biodiesel production at its facility in Wall Lake. The project footprint is 3,092 sq. ft., including a fourstory building expansion, cooling tower, and hot-oil skid. Western Iowa Energy expects that these upgrades will allow the facility to increase the production of clean-burning, low-carbon biodiesel from 30 million gallons per year (MMGY) to 45 MMGY by increasing process efficiency, adding feedstock capabilities, and increasing the retreatment and process capacity of the new feedstocks. The project will begin in 2022 and be completed in 2023. Utility: Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative REDL: $1,500,000 Utility: Corn Belt Power Cooperative REDL: $1,500,000

The City of Lawton is constructing a new 8,500 sq. ft. facility to house a new city hall, community center, library, and city maintenance shop. The new community center will have a kitchen and accommodate events up to 150 people. The Woodbury County Library will provide books and other educational resources that will be available for on-site use or check-out. The city will also have computers available for citizens to use free of charge during hours of operation. The new facility is anticipated to be open by the end of 2022. REDG: $300,000 to enhance its existing RLF Match: $60,000 from Woodbury County Rural Electric Cooperative

The Moville Area Medical Clinic is constructing a new 15,000 sq. ft. bi-level medical facility in Moville. MercyOne is leasing the current space and will continue that relationship in the new state-of-the-art facility. The new clinic will include twelve exam rooms, a conference room for patient and community education, a teleconference room, and a digital x-ray machine. The Clinic is located near the school parking lot, which will allow for helicopter landings. A drive-through area will accommodate testing and immunizations. Utility: Woodbury County Rural Electric Cooperative REDL: $1,500,000 REDG: $300,000 to enhance its existing RLF Match: $60,000 from Woodbury County REC

Brand New Engines, Inc. is building a 48,000 sq. ft. facility in Tipton to accommodate the increased demand for its new engines, parts, tools, and power equipment. Brand New Engines is primarily an e-commerce business licensed to sell brands, including Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, Toro, DeWalt, and more. Currently operating from separate rented facilities, this project will allow Brand New Engines to have all inventory and warehouse activities in one location, supporting its 2-day delivery guarantee nationwide. Utility: Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative REDL: $1,500,000

After a devastating fire destroyed their facility in July 2021, Dobson Pipe Organ Builders are rebuilding on the same site in Lake City. Founded in 1974, Dobson Pipe Organ Builders has built 98 new pipe organs for churches, universities, performing arts spaces, and residences. After the fire, the company retained all its employees by focusing on the restoration and repair aspect of its business. The new facility is planned to be 20,000 sq. ft., including a metalworking shop, wood shop, spray booth, CNC machine, and design room. The company is also planning to have an internship program at the facility to train the next generation of organ builders. The expected completion of the facility is in late 2023. Utility: Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association REDL: $1,500,000

Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods, located in Webster City, is undergoing a comprehensive expansion project at its current site to enable them to meet the demand of its ever-growing customer base. Mary Ann’s manufactures and distributes high-quality meats such as ham, bacon, sausage, poultry, and beef, as well as various prepared items. The construction project is a 58,650 sq. ft. expansion of their current facility. Most of the new space will accommodate a packaging/production room. In addition, an employee welfare facility will provide employees with education and training and expand the knowledge of the rural workforce in the community. New equipment, technology, and automation upgrades will also increase the efficiency and accuracy of all systems throughout the operation. Utility: Corn Belt Power Cooperative REDL: $1,500,000

Northern Country Cooperative is constructing a state-of-theart, fully automated agronomy hub in Stacyville. This facility will add 3.25 million gallons of liquid fertilizer storage for the cooperative and be more automated to allow for faster product service and after-hours pick up of hot mix fertilizer and chemicals for spraying. The facility is targeted to open in the spring of 2023. Utility: Heartland Power Cooperative and Dairyland Power Cooperative REDL: $1,500,000

Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Child Development and Discovery Center in Decorah. This new state-of-the-art facility will offer indoor and outdoor child development and play areas that encourage learning through high-quality care, creative design, shared services, and innovative STEAM learning spaces. This new center will accommodate 214 children ages six weeks to 12 years, with room to expand to 308 children as needed. Utility: Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative and Dairyland Power Cooperative REDL: $1,500,000