Several area rural communities will be receiving federal funding for small business and public works projects, according to an announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture on Friday.
Through the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program Iowa Lakes Cooperative will receive a $279,426 grant, which will fund a pass-through loan to Iowa Central Community College’s Storm Lake campus. The funds will be used to build a campus learning center and purchase equipment.
Sac City’s Loring Hospital is the recipient of the largest award from the USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants program, receiving a $37,137,700 loan to fund the construction of a 9,400-square-foot addition to the hospital. The addition will provide space to be used for a primary care clinic, an emergency patient walk-in entrance, an emergency department renovation and expansion, an updated and expanded pharmacy, a renovated laboratory, a consultation center, a new hospital entrance, specialty clinic pods with an infusion center, and therapy, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation space.
The Humboldt County communities of Lu Verne and Gilmore City will each receive grants from the Community Facilities Direct program.
In Lu Verne, a $50,000 grant will help purchase a new sanitation truck for the city.
Gilmore City will receive a $28,900 grant to purchase new emergency radios and pagers for the city’s fire department.
