Governor Kim Reynolds was at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday for the Governor’s Charity Steer Show.

She was joined by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who made a big announcement during the show, KCCI reports.

Rollins announced millions for the state of Iowa.

“We are excited to announce that the USDA is spending an additional $152 million in investment into this sale across 19 rural development projects in communities across Iowa,” she said.

US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ office says 20 Iowa communities will benefit from the infrastructure improvements.

That includes a hospital improvement for Guthrie County, where a $37 million loan will fund an expansion and partial renovation.

Water service improvements are also being funded.

Bondurant will receive a $2.5 million grant for a new water tower.

Eldora will get a million to improve the wastewater system, and $1.4 million loan to the city of Moulton will replace service lines made of lead and upgrade old water mains.

Rollins’ office said the money will also benefit energy projects in areas like Appanoose, Davis and Wapello counties.

The Southern Iowa Electric Co-op will receive $8.5 million to improve the electrical grid in that region.

Last December, the same USDA program announced more than $25 million to fund clean energy, rural housing development and food access.

But Rollins said there could be more investment.

“$152 million into rural Iowa to continue to build this infrastructure is a game changer, but there will be more announcements, more to come,” she said.

Rollins also announced that a farmer from Atlantic, Iowa will now be serving as an Under Secretary for Rural Development at the USDA.

Source - https://www.kcrg.com