(Washington, D.C., August 9, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced $152 million in investments for 19 rural development projects in communities across the State of Iowa. These unprecedented, coordinated U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) project will help boost Iowa’s economy, develop rural infrastructure, and encourage private investment in America’s heartland.

By the Numbers:

• Total Investment: $152 million
• Projects Funded: 19
• Sectors Impacted/Counties Impacted: 20

Healthcare Infrastructure – Investments supporting hospitals and medical facilities.

• Guthrie County Hospital – Receiving a $37 million loan to expand and renovate its facility. Funding will support:
  • A 16,000 square foot addition to include a behavioral health room in the ER, an MRI room, exam rooms, and lab space
  • Updates to the nurse call technology, new digital master and area alarm panels, and new sleep ventilators
  • A fire suppression system for the ambulance garage
  • Renovations to the dining hall and kitchen

Water and Wastewater Projects (locally) – Helping Iowa communities modernize systems and ensure clean, reliable access.

• Southwest Regional Water District (Page County) – Receiving a $2 million loan to replace 6-inch pipes with 10-inch pipes, reducing water loss and increasing supply capacity.
• City of Shenandoah – Receiving a $1 million grant and $8.8 million loan to improve water supply and distribution, including two wells and a new transmission main.
• City of Ute (Monona County) – Receiving a $30,000 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant (SEARCH) to evaluate the city’s water system and complete a preliminary engineering report.

Transportation & Street Improvements – Making local roads safer and more accessible.

• City of Halbur (Carroll County) – Receiving a $500,000 loan to repave city streets, and ADA-compliant curb ramps and street crossings, and improve safety for motorists and pedestrians.