Theresa Greenfield, U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development state director in Iowa, announced that the agency is investing $4,782,800 in loans and $268,500 in grants to 13 rural Iowa projects to help communities and businesses improve community infrastructure and promote economic development. “These investments will help our rural neighbors establish and operate vital services, such as health care facilities, volunteer fire departments and school transport,” Greenfield said in a prepared statement. Investments will be made in Appanoose, Audubon, Carroll, Clayton, Crawford, Decatur, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Harrison, Jackson, Poweshiek, Sac, Union, Van Buren and Washington counties. For more information about the USDA-funded projects, click here.