On a sun-soaked Saturday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, amid the familiar bustle of livestock shows and fried food stands, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins took the stage with a message that could reshape the fortunes of rural Iowa: a $152 million federal investment aimed at revitalizing communities across the state. The announcement, made just before Rollins competed in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show with a steer named Snoop Dog, marked what she called an "unprecedented, coordinated rural development project" to boost the state’s rural economies, develop infrastructure, and encourage private investment, as reported by the Iowa Capital Dispatch and Des Moines Register.
Standing alongside Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and state Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Rollins detailed the scope of the funding, which will support 19 projects spanning healthcare, water systems, transportation, and rural business growth across 20 counties. The projects, according to Rollins, are a cornerstone of a broader effort by President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress to "put farmers first again," with initiatives ranging from new international trade agreements to farm safety net programs and clean fuel tax credits.
"Whether it's better hospitals in rural America, better health care in rural America, better childcare 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 at the fair, as quoted by the Des Moines Register. "He's also the rural America president."
Governor Reynolds, a frequent partner in Rollins’ public appearances, celebrated the investment. "During this time of uncertainty in the ag economy, I'm so grateful to have a partner that we can rely on," Reynolds remarked. "Farming is essential to the American way of life." She also recalled visiting Guthrie County Hospital earlier in the year, where the hospital’s CEO had emphasized how crucial federal support would be for sustaining local healthcare.
Healthcare infrastructure stands out as a major beneficiary. Guthrie County Hospital will receive a $37 million loan to fund a 16,000-square-foot expansion, which will include a behavioral health room in the emergency department, an MRI room, new exam rooms, and lab space. The hospital will also update nurse call technology, install new sleep ventilators, add a fire suppression system for the ambulance garage, and renovate the dining hall and kitchen. In total, the upgrades are designed to ensure that rural Iowans have access to modern, comprehensive care—a goal that resonates in communities where hospitals often struggle to keep their doors open.
"The new investments will make a difference in rural Iowa communities," Reynolds said, reflecting on the hospital’s needs and the broader impact of the USDA’s support.
Water and wastewater infrastructure also feature prominently in the USDA’s plans. The City of Emmetsburg, for example, will receive a $5 million grant and a $39 million loan to replace its outdated wastewater treatment facility. Bondurant, meanwhile, is set to benefit from a $2.5 million grant for a new 1-million-gallon elevated water tower and main, ensuring consistent water pressure for its 7,365 residents. Other cities, including Churdan, Eldora, Ida Grove, Linn Grove, Mediapolis, Moulton, and Sioux Rapids, will receive grants and loans to upgrade water systems, replace aging infrastructure, and improve compliance with environmental standards. According to Local 5 News, these projects are expected to improve quality of life, protect public health, and lay the groundwork for future economic growth.
Transportation and street improvements are on the list as well. The City of Halbur will use a $500,000 loan to repave streets, add ADA-compliant curb ramps, and improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. Meanwhile, investments in rural business and job growth will flow through electric cooperatives and other local organizations. For example, the Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative will receive a $1 million loan to support equipment upgrades at Shell Rock Soy Processing LLC, creating new jobs and expanding processing capacity.
Rollins emphasized that these investments are designed to foster long-term economic vitality. "This unprecedented, coordinated rural development project will help boost the rural economies, develop rural infrastructure and encourage private investments," she said, as reported by KCCI.
The announcement also touched on the USDA’s ongoing efforts to restructure the agency. In July, Rollins unveiled a plan to relocate much of the USDA’s Washington, D.C.-area workforce to five new regional hubs in North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado, and Utah. While Iowa was not included in the initial list, Rollins hinted at more announcements to come. "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," she explained. By shifting resources to the heartland, Rollins argued, the USDA can better respond to local needs and save billions in federal spending.
Another headline from the day was the nomination of Glen R. Smith, a farmer and agribusiness leader from Atlantic, Iowa, as the next USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development. Smith, an Iowa State University alumnus who recently served on the Farm Credit Administration Board of Directors, was praised by both Rollins and Reynolds for his "incredible leadership and resolute voice for farmers." As Rollins put it, "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 echoed that sentiment, saying, "We don't think they could have picked a better person to serve."
The $152 million investment comes as part of a larger budget reconciliation bill that Rollins said "protected two million family farms from the death tax," increased reference prices, and extended clean fuel production tax credits. She pushed back against criticism that the bill’s cuts to public assistance programs like SNAP would harm vulnerable families, arguing instead that the legislation "invested more money into our agriculture sector and put farmers first." Still, some agriculture policy advocates have raised concerns that shifting funds from SNAP to farm subsidies might further consolidate the industry and disproportionately benefit wealthy farmers.
The USDA’s efforts in Iowa extend beyond infrastructure and healthcare. Earlier this year, Rollins approved an Iowa waiver to limit certain unhealthy foods available through SNAP, as well as a demonstration project called Healthy Kids Iowa, which provides monthly food boxes for families in need. While supporters argue these initiatives promote healthy eating, hunger advocates warn they may make it harder for some Iowans to access food assistance.
As the dust settles on the fairgrounds and the echoes of the Governor’s Charity Steer Show fade, the impact of the USDA’s $152 million investment is only beginning to take shape. For many rural Iowans, the promise of new hospitals, stronger water systems, and renewed economic growth offers a hopeful path forward in challenging times.
