U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $13,435,000 in loans and $2,946,000 in grants to five projects in Iowa to strengthen infrastructure, promote business expansion and create jobs.

One of the grants goes to the city of Irwin in Shelby County, who received a $1,795,000 loan and a $2,346,000 grant through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to make water distribution system improvements.  This project will construct a new 35,000 gallon water tower and replace water mains with 6″ PVC.  This project will also replace older galvanized steel, cast iron, and lead service lines with copper lines and will eliminate four dead-end lines by adding two short loops.  Once completed, this project will improve water security and storage, bring the city into compliance with water quality standards, and better protect the health and safety of 341 townspeople and residents of surrounding rural areas.

The other four grants will go the rural electric cooperatives.