March 28, 2024

USDA Rural Development facilitating rural summit Monday

DES MOINES — Residents, business owners and community and economic development leaders in Union and surrounding counties can share their thoughts about opportunities and challenges facing rural Iowa when Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development state director in Iowa, visits Creston Monday.

A rural summit will take place starting at 10 a.m. in the multi-purpose room at the Southwestern Community College Performing Arts Center/ Southern Prairie YMCA, 1501 W. Townline St.

USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $3 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.

Today, more than 1.7 million Iowans live in rural communities and areas, and nearly half of the state’s communities have fewer than 500 residents.

USDA Rural Development can help rural communities and regions grow and prosper by offering a variety of financial and technical assistance programs that encourage the development of strong community and economic development strategies. Rural communities that work through regional and strategic partnerships can complement and draw upon the resources of another to create jobs and strengthen economies.

This past year USDA Rural Development’s investment in rural Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,400 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 50 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.

For more information about the event, contact Wayne Pantini with the Union County Development Association at wpantini@unioncountyiowa.com or 641-782-2003.