Businesses in the Wellman and Oxford areas are among the recipients of the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Rural Innovation Grants, announced today by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
As part of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative, over $275,000 in grants will be distributed to 20 small businesses across rural Iowa, aimed at fostering growth and sustainability in communities with populations under 20,000.
“Entrepreneurship in rural areas builds sustainable, resilient communities,” said Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “These grants help businesses continue to turn a profit and grow, while providing good-paying jobs and keeping wealth right at home.”
Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging in Oxford is one of the recipients, with plans to bring production of culinary lavender products on-site. Using its own Iowa-grown lavender will allow for the creation of six to eight new culinary lavender products, including lavender-infused baking mixes, lavender syrups, a variety of flavors, drink blends and culinary lavender buds.
Freeman Foods, located in Wellman and North English, say technology upgrades at both grocery locations will support online ordering, as well as pick-up and delivery services. Point-of-sale and back-office systems will also be updated to better serve customers, particularly aging populations and those living in rural areas of Washington and Keokuk counties.
According to a release, the Rural Innovation Grant program supports creative, nontraditional ideas that address critical issues and development challenges faced by small communities. This year’s grant award focused on independently owned grocery stores struggling to upgrade technology or adopt new service delivery models; small food producers, to assist in getting their products into new markets; and second-stage growth companies – those that have been operating for a few years with sales typically more than $1 million.
This year, IEDA received 40 applications, including 27 from rural grocers, nine from food producers, and four from second-stage growth companies.
A complete list of Rural Innovation Grant recipients can be found here.
