Rural economic development grants disaster (redg disaster) - grant

The Department of Agriculture Rural Business Cooperative Services awarded $300,000 to The Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Stanton, Iowa on May 29, 2026 under the Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants program (CFDA 10.854). The recipient will establish a Revolving Loan Fund and deploy zero-interest capital to rural businesses and development projects within its service territory, including feasibility studies, business start-up costs, and business incubator initiatives. Performance runs through May 29, 2028 and work is performed in Iowa. The Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations, which pass through zero-interest capital to local businesses and projects that promote economic development and job creation. Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Stanton functions as an intermediary utility, receiving federal grants to finance rural broadband infrastructure and economic development initiatives exclusively within USDA rural utility and business cooperative programs.