July 29, 2025 (DES MOINES, IA) — Rural grocers and food producers are among eight recipients of the latest Rural Innovation Grants, announced today by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). Awarded through the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative, the grants total $72,624 and will support projects designed to enhance local services and promote economic development. Among the eight recipients was the Minden Countryside Market. They will offer a drive-thru, with a faster, more convenient grocery pickup — ideal for busy households and individuals with mobility challenges.

IEDA/Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham said “Rural businesses are essential to the health and prosperity of Iowa’s small towns. From improving access to fresh food to reaching new customers, they serve as anchors in their communities. This funding helps them modernize, grow and continue meeting the evolving needs of Iowans.”

The Rural Innovation Grant program encourages creative solutions to challenges faced by towns that have fewer than 20,000 residents and are not located next to cities with populations of 40,000 or more.

This round of funding prioritized independently owned grocery stores implementing technology upgrades or new service models; food producers investing in equipment, technology or regulatory support; and established businesses pursuing new markets through a partnership with the Colorado-based National Center for Economic Gardening.

IEDA received 10 applications from across the state. The other recipients selected include:

• Independence — Gedney Bakery & Coffeehouse
  The launch of a grab-and-go menu and expansion into small-event catering requires new equipment for food preparation, display, storage and delivery.
• Sumner — Ten Wasp Brewing Company
  A new fermenter and temperature control unit will increase production capacity by up to 17%, improve efficiency and allow for more seasonal and specialty brews.
• Winthrop — Nicks’ Family Grocery
  Equipment additions — including convection ovens, a Broaster and insulated food pan carriers — will support in-store take-and-bake meals and enable the delivery of hot, made-from-scratch food to households within a 5-mile radius.

The grant program is administered by IEDA’s Center for Rural Revitalization, in consultation with the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative task force. The next round of Rural Innovation Grant funding opened July 1 and focuses on increasing rural housing availability. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. CDT Aug. 29.

To learn more about the program, eligibility requirements or future grant opportunities, visit opportunityiowa.gov/community/revitalization/center-rural-revitalization/rural-innovation-grant-program or view the current application at IowaGrants.gov.