(Anita) U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced $136,000 in Community Facilities Programs investments in Anita.
USDA Rural Development grants will assist with replacing the fire station roof, as well as purchase an essential CPR chest compression system, a power cot, and 10 sets of fire protection gear to reduce safety risks for volunteer firefighters. Additionally, the grants will help renovate the city hall restrooms to accommodate individuals with
disabilities and install a new security window to the City Clerk’s office.
Anita Fire Chief Eric Steffensen showed those in attendance what their new fire protection gear will look like, their LUCAS device for CPR, and how the new power cot works.
USDA Rural Development acting State Director in Iowa Darin Leach spoke about how important it is to have these emergency services in Anita, especially with the close proximity to the Interstate.
Xochitl Torres Small summed up what rural places like Anita do for all of our country…
Dee Fischer with the USDA explained that they have helped the Anita Fire Department with replacing the roof, purchasing essential equipment including an emergency off-road vehicle, and they have helped the City of Anita with converting the City Hall restroom for ADA accessibility, they are helping the city with a new street project coming up, and the sewer lagoon is under construction. She said total loan assistance to date is $4.8 million, the majority of that goes to the sewer lagoon, and grants amount to $1,001,550.
This year, USDA Rural Development invested nearly $80 million in community infrastructure in Iowa through the Community Facilities program. Nearly 400,000 rural Iowans will have access to new and improved community services and facilities because of these 149 community-improvement projects across the state.
