(Des Moines)– Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority on Wednesday announced 190 thousand dollars in grants have been awarded to ten rural Iowa communities, including a few in the area. The grant awards are provided through three Empower Rural Iowa Grant programs, and will support rural initiatives including housing, childcare, and business/economic growth.
The City of Spencer and the Rock Rapids Kids Club are both receiving a 20 thousand dollar Childcare Planning Grant.
Empower Rural Iowa grants are funded through an application from the Iowa Legislature for Empower Rural Iowa initiatives. Applicants are required to provide a financial match. They were scored based on criteria that included economic need, partners, readiness, and strategic goals. Programs must exist in and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20 thousand or fewer, and not be contiguous to a city with a population of 40 thousand or greater.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KAYL in Storm Lake)
