Iowa receives $1.5 million from USDA for wind turbine development
Iowa has been on the front page of many newspapers this week as the state becomes a battleground of sorts in the presidential campaigns of President Barack Obama and Republican hopeful Mitt Romney.
President Obama made a 3-day tour of the state this week, reiterating his support of Iowa’s renewable energy industry, particularly its wind power efforts.
Coinciding with the president’s visit was an announcement on Tuesday from the U.S. Agricultural Department that it will be funding 106 projects throughout 29 states, Guam and Puerto Rico, including nine projects in Iowa itself.
The Des Moines Register reported that the USDA loan guarantees in Iowa will fund $1.5 million worth of wind turbines and grain dryers.
“For example, in Adair, Iowa, Meadow Ridge Wind Energy is receiving a guaranteed loan that will be used to purchase and install a 1.5 million Kilowatt wind turbine. The turbine is expected to generate enough to meet the annual electricity requirements of more than 500 homes,” the Register reported.
Aside from the nine wind turbine and grain dryer projects, the USDA will be working with over 40 community groups to “create jobs and support rural business development.”
The Iowa Economic Development Authority for example will be the recipient of a $200,000 grant that it will then use to stimulate Polk County’s historical commericial district. The goal is to “work with businesses on ways to highlight local events and community attractions, take advantage of tax credits, and promote local attractions through branding and marketing campaigns.”
