USDA grants help bring new healthcare facility to Muscatine

Muscatine is getting financial help from the federal government to build a healthcare facility.

Theresa Greenfield, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa, announced that the department is investing $1,213,603 in 13 grants and $43,957,700 in five loans to projects in Iowa that promote rural small businesses, provide technical assistance and support public works infrastructure. “This past week, many Iowans experienced intense snowstorms,” said Greenfield. “We have been reminded just how critical it is to have response vehicles, sirens, emergency radios and road maintenance equipment to deal with severe weather events, especially in our rural neighborhoods.” 

The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program offers zero-interest loans to local utilities organizations, which then pass the funding to local businesses. Locally, Eastern Iowa Light and Power Cooperative received a $300,000 grant to replenish a revolving loan fund that will partially finance construction of a healthcare facility in Muscatine. This project will expand health services when completed and promote economic development in Muscatine. Eastern Iowa Light and Power Cooperative also received a $2 million loan to fund a pass-through loan to Muscatine Health Support Fund, LLC to build a health facility in Muscatine.

For more information on the USDA’s Rural Development program, click here.