Latest news with #ruraldevelopment
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa will receive $152 million from US Agriculture Department toward rural development
Iowa will receive an infusion of $152 million in federal money toward 19 rural development projects across the state in what U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called an "unprecedented" effort to spur economic growth, attract private investment and develop rural infrastructure. Announcing the federal money at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 9 before showing the steer "Snoop Dog" in the Governor's Charity Steer Show, Rollins said these investments are important in supporting rural America, "where the real American spirit lives and thrives and was born and must continue." "Whether it's better hospitals in rural America, better health care in rural America, better child care in rural America, better services, water, etc. in rural America, this president, perhaps more than any in our lifetimes, isn't just a farmers-first president," Rollins said. "He's also the rural America president." Gov. Kim Reynolds cheered the investment and said "during this time of uncertainty in the ag economy, I'm so grateful to have a partner that we can rely on. Farming is essential to the American way of life." The funding will support health care infrastructure with a $37 million loan to Guthrie County Hospital to expand and renovate its facility, supporting a 16,000-square-foot addition. That will include adding a behavioral health room in the emergency room, an MRI room, exam rooms and lab space; updating nurse call technology and providing new sleep ventilators; and renovating the dining hall and kitchen. More: Need fair info? The Iowa State Fair 2025 daily guide is your source It also supports transportation and street improvements, rural business and job growth through electric cooperatives, and several water and wastewater projects. One of those grants toward water projects was awarded to Bondurant, which will receive $2.5 million to build a 1-million-gallon elevated water tower and main to prevent water pressure loss for its 7,365 residents. Will the USDA relocate its offices to Iowa? The USDA in July unveiled its reorganization plan to move most of its Washington-area staff to five locations around the country and shutter several USDA offices in the capital area. Those newly announced hubs are in North Carolina, Colorado, Utah, Missouri and Indiana. As of now, there is "no Iowa, but there are more announcements coming," Rollins said. "Listen, I love the USDA buildings in Washington," Rollins said. "They are beautiful. They're right on the National Mall. They're just — it's inspiring to walk up every day. But do we really need three massive buildings for USDA on the National Mall?" She said one of the buildings has 6,000 offices, and only about 900 people work there regularly, so the move will save the federal government "billions." "The bottom line is moving the power out of Washington, returning the government to the peopleand having people that are better able to serve our constituents, who are closer to them," Rollins said. Iowan nominated to lead USDA's rural development efforts Rollins also announced that President Donald Trump has nominated an Iowan to be the USDA under secretary for rural development. Trump has tapped Glen Smith of Atlantic to oversee the department's rural development policies and programs, including assistance in rural business, utilities and housing. He has recently served on the Farm Credit Administration Board of Directors in Washington, D.C., and is a graduate of Iowa State University. Rollins said Smith "will continue to be an incredible leader and a resolute voice for farmers here in Iowa and across the country in this new role." Reynolds congratulated Smith and said "we don't think they could have picked a better person to serve." Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@ Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa will receive $152 million from USDA toward rural development Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announces new rural development investments at Iowa State Fair
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins presented the steer Snoop Dog at the Governor's Charity Steer Show during the Iowa State Fair Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins came to the Iowa State Fair Saturday to compete in the Governor's Charity Steer Show — and to announce $152 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture investments for Iowa rural development projects. Before heading to the Livestock Pavillion to show the steer Snoop Dog, Rollins announced that 19 projects in Iowa would receive funding through USDA Rural Development grant and loan programs. The announcement was made at a news conference where she was joined by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and state Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Approved projects include a $37 million loan for the Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center to expand and renovate its facility, a $5 million grant and $39 million loan for the City of Emmetsburg to replace its wastewater treatment facility, and a $27.7 million loan to the Southern Sioux County Rural Water System for the building of new wells, a treatment plant and transmission lines in Plymouth and Sioux Counties. 'This unprecedented, coordinated rural development project will help boost the rural economies, develop rural infrastructure and encourage private investments,' Rollins said. Reynolds celebrated the investment and thanked Rollins for working closely with Iowa, saying 'during this time of uncertainty in the ag economy, I'm so grateful to have a partner that we can rely on.' She said the new investments will make a difference in rural Iowa communities. Reynolds said when she visited the Guthrie County Hospital in May, where she signed a law aimed at expanding medical training opportunities and rural health care access, the hospital CEO had told her about how much of a difference the USDA funding would make in helping the facility continue to provide health care in their community. Rollins said the investment is part of a larger effort from President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress aimed at 'putting farmers first again,' which she said is also being done through new international trade agreements, investments in farm safety net programs and agriculture components of the budget reconciliation bill passed. Though much of the focus on discussing the 'big, beautiful bill' has surrounded the cuts and changes to public assistance programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Rollins said the bill 'protected two million family farms from the death tax,' increased reference prices and extended clean fuel production tax credits. 'Most of the mainstream media focused on, 'Oh, these horrible cuts that are going to cause death and destruction across the world' — which, of course, none of that was true,' Rollins said. 'In fact, we were investing more money, Congress was, into our agriculture sector and putting farmers first.' Some agriculture policy advocates have said the budget reconciliation bill, which cuts SNAP funding while increasing spending on farm subsidies, will further consolidate the agriculture industry and benefit wealthy farmers. It's the second event Reynolds and Rollins have held together this week. On Monday, the Iowa governor was in Washington, D.C. for a news conference where Rollins signed six waivers approving restrictions on purchases of certain food items through the SNAP. Rollins approved Iowa's waiver to limit unhealthy foods available to buy through SNAP in May. USDA also approved an Iowa waiver to implement an summer eating program for kids, called Healthy Kids Iowa, earlier in the year. The demonstration project, providing a box of food valued at $40 each month for families in need through 264 access points across the state, is an alternative to the SUN Bucks program, also known as Summer EBT, that provides $120 per child each month during the summer to eligible families that can be used at retailers accepting SNAP. Both of these efforts are aimed at reducing unhealthy eating habits, the governor said, though hunger advocates have argued these steps make it more difficult for Iowans to access food assistance. Rollins also spoke on her announcement in July for the USDA to restructure and consolidate parts of the agency, in part by relocating some of USDA workforce outside of Washington, D.C. to five regional hubs in North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado and Utah. The list has 'no Iowa, but there are more announcements coming,' Rollins said. She said Iowa is well represented at the USDA, with many agency employees in the state and several Iowans in USDA leadership positions. 'The bottom line is moving the power out of Washington, returning the government to the people, and having people that are better able to serve our constituents, who are closer to them,' Rollins said. 'So that is the bigger (arch), but more news coming in the days to come.' Solve the daily Crossword
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Homes for sale with a roof terrace – in pictures in England and Scotland
This former second world war control tower, once belonging to Findo Gask Airfield, was converted in 2020 and is now the centrepiece of an exclusive rural development eight miles from Perth. Over three floors there's four bedrooms and five bathrooms, a triple-garage and a gym. The heart of the house is the second floor, given over to an open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas. On the third floor is a sunroom with floor-to-ceiling glazing and a roof terrace with far reaching views of the countryside. The whole development covers 60 acres. £1.650m. Savills, 01738 477 525 Photograph: Savills It would be difficult to get bored living in this part of central London but, if you did, playing spot-the-landmark would certainly pass the time. The roof terrace of this penthouse, planted and with plenty of seating, is west- and south-facing with views stretching to the London Eye and beyond. A sleek kitchen space looks out on to the living and dining area which connects to the terrace. The main bedroom, of three, has two dressing rooms and its own bathroom. This sits on top of Saint Martins Lofts, just 0.3 miles from Covent Garden. £8.750m. Knight Frank, 020 7647 6612 Photograph: Knight Frank In a triangle of residential roads between the A2 and the Blackwall Tunnel southern approach, and a street away from the eastern side of the green spaces of Greenwich Park and Blackheath, is a penthouse with a large private roof terrace. Doors lead out on to it from the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, and also from the main bedroom (of three) which has an en suite, too. At the end of the road there's a collection of pubs and eateries. The property is well positioned for Blackheath High School (all girls, independent). £900,000. Foxtons, 020 8432 7200 Photograph: Foxtons On a quiet street, in this Saxon town, is a Grade II-listed terrace of cottages believed to date back to the late 17th or early 18th century. Within the row is a three-storey, three-bedroom property full of character. The blue wooden staircase winds up from the cosy front room with log burner, to the bedrooms on the first floor. A large living room is on the second floor with direct access on to a surprise nook: the stone roof terrace decked in hardwood with iron railings. The other outside space is the cobbled and flag-paved courtyard. £525,000. Inigo, 020 3687 3071 Photograph: Inigo In the centre of this rural village, with views of the green, is a historic property that has long been part of the fabric of the community. The 18th-century building includes an apartment above a shop and restaurant-cafe, but over the centuries has also housed the village shop, a tearoom and a bakery. The three-bedroom home could be converted into one family-sized dwelling. It has a walled garden and there's a roof terrace off the kitchen. Stamp duty has been paid as an incentive. Between Norwich and the North Norfolk coast. £785,000. Savills, 01603 229 229 Photograph: Savills
Zawya
01-08-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: African Development Bank to join groundbreaking ceremony of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Oyo State
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Oyo State Government will be joined by the African Development Bank ( for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ). Headlining the ceremony, to be held 2 August 2025 in Ijaiye, Akinyele Local Government Area, will be Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima, African Development Bank Group head, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, and Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, alongside senior government officials, development partners, and private sector leaders. The SAPZ Programme is a flagship of the Bank's Feed Africa strategy and aims to transform Nigeria's rural economy by facilitating agro-industrialisation, expanding market access, and attracting private sector investment. This marks the third groundbreaking under Phase I of the Nigeria SAPZ Programme, and the first in the country's southwest, following successful launches in Kaduna ( and Cross River ( States, in April 2025. It underscores the Bank's commitment to fostering regionally balanced agro-industrial development across Nigeria. Nigeria's SAPZ Phase I spans seven states in addition to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT): Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Kano, and Imo, with a total financing envelope of $538 million. The programme is co-funded by the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, alongside federal and state contributions. Oyo State, with a population approaching 8 million and the largest landmass in the southern part of the country, is one of Nigeria's most agriculturally endowed states. Over 90% of its 28,454 square kilometers is arable, positioning it as a key contributor to Nigeria's agricultural output. Its proximity to Lagos - the most populous city and largest subnational economy in Africa - makes it a natural hub for agro-industrial investment, trade, and market access. The 300-hectare SAPZ site in Ijaiye lies just 29 kilometres from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and is connected to key infrastructure, including the Chief Obafemi Awolowo Railway Station (16 km) and a newly upgraded road network that links to the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport - which is being modernized into an international cargo facility. These assets position Oyo State as a natural hub for domestic and export-oriented agro-processing. The SAPZ will capitalize on Oyo's comparative advantage in cassava, maize, poultry, soybeans, and horticulture. In addition to the Ijaiye hub, the state is also developing a 2,800-hectare agribusiness hub with an Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC) in Eruwa, designed to serve smallholder farmers and youth agripreneurs through shared infrastructure and service platforms. Both facilities are supported by a $37 million financing package from the African Development Bank. As the African Development Bank and the Government of Nigeria advance the program, the Oyo SAPZ launch signals the continued scale-up of integrated, inclusive agro-industrial growth across the country. Under phase 2 of the SAPZ program, another 24 states will come on board. Phase 2 generated $2.2 billion in global investment interest at the Africa Investment Forum held in December 2024 ( Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
QUEST WATER GLOBAL ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP
VANCOUVER, CANADA, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QUEST WATER GLOBAL, INC. (OTCID: QWTR) ("Quest" and/or the "Company"), announced today that the Company has entered into a strategic partnership agreement in the Democratic Republic of Congo ('DRC') with the National Office for Rural Hydraulics ('ONHR'), a branch of the Ministry of Rural Development ('MRD'). The agreement creates a 10-year public-private partnership between the Company and ONHR. The project governed by the agreement aims to provide affordable, clean water to 1.5 – 1.8 million people in underserved rural and peri-urban communities throughout the DRC and is expected to help the Company and its current joint venture, AQUAtap Oasis Partnership SARL, accelerate their growth in the country and drive sustainable impact. The objective of the partnership is for Quest to manufacture and install a total of 300 AQUAtap Community Water Centers over the next five years in DRC communities where infrastructure is limited or nonexistent. This initiative will take place in the provinces of Kinshasa, Kasai, Bas-Congo, Haut-Katanga, and Lualaba. The project will follow a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer model. Isaac Kalonji Jr. III, COO of Quest, stated, "We are excited to partner with the National Office for Rural Hydraulics on this important initiative. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our commitment to advancing rural development and enhancing water accessibility in the region. We believe that this partnership will bring about positive and measurable socioeconomic benefits, drive innovation, and enhance public services." Both the Company and ONHR anticipate that the partnership will create job opportunities for DRC residents because it will involve activities such as initial site surveys, installation, system commissioning, daily operations, and maintenance. The first systems will be built in South Africa, with plans to establish a fabrication facility in Kinshasa. Quest, in partnership with CLEAN International, a non-governmental organization based in Southern California, will provide Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) education to the communities involved. The Company is responsible for contributing US$30M to the partnership over the duration of the project to fund the 300 AQUAtap systems. ONHR is entitled to receive 40% of the revenue while Quest is entitled to receive 60% of the revenue generated from the project. ONHR will provide the necessary authorization permits for each installation, as well as administrative support and tax exemptions on the importation of Quest's technology. Additionally, ONHR will provide the installation sites and 24/7 security for the installed systems. ONHR will also conduct water quality tests to ensure compliance with local health standards. About Quest Water Global, Inc. Quest Water Global, Inc. is a socially responsible and innovative water solutions company. The Company's goal is to provide a permanent, abundant, affordable, and sustainable source of drinking water to underserved communities. To achieve its financial, social, and environmental goals, Quest utilizes an inclusive, market-driven Build-Own-Operate business model. For more information, visit the Company's website at Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, as that term is defined under applicable securities laws. Statements in this press release, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks which may cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including: negative results from the Company's operations; the effects of government regulation on the Company's business; risks associated with the Company's ability to obtain and protect rights to its intellectual property; risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to raise additional capital; loss of management; and other factors beyond the Company's control. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, or performance. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors and to assess in advance the impact of such factors on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Readers should also refer to the risk factor disclosures and other disclosures outlined in the Company's periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at and with the British Columbia Securities Commission on SEDAR+ at CONTACTS: John Balanko, President & CEO Quest Water Global, Inc. +1 888 897 5536 info@ Jacqueline McClure, Corporate Communications Quest Water Global, Inc. jmcclure@ Source: Quest Water Global, in to access your portfolio
