IFB awards Rural Development Grants

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — In an effort to elevate rural communities, Illinois Farm Bureau partnered with county Farm Bureaus to award 23 Rural Development Grants totaling $105,000 to support local projects across the state.

Of the grants awarded, eight are fulfilling rural emergency services needs and 15 are projects focused on economic or community development.

“Illinois Farm Bureau is proud to collaborate with county Farm Bureaus to support these outstanding projects that will ultimately elevate the quality of life for those living in these communities,” said Ryan Tate, IFB associate director of local government. “We are excited to see the long-term impact of these grants in the years ahead.”

The Rural Development Grant Program provides resources, tools and support to help local communities and counties overcome challenges inherent in rural development projects, such as lack of funding and volunteers, complicated grant applications and others.

In selecting grants, IFB searches for projects that will meet a need in a community, county or rural area and get residents excited about what is happening in their community.

Grant recipients this year are:

• Xenia Fire Protection District, through Clay County Farm Bureau, received a grant to purchase a cut-off saw kit that will be used for rescues in which firefighters need to cut through metal buildings or objects, such as machine sheds, grain bins or metal roofs.

• Greenup Fire Protection District, through Cumberland County Farm Bureau, received funding to install IV pumps for fluid and medication administration in two ambulances, which could make a difference in patient outcomes during the 25- to 30-minute drive to local hospitals.

• Edwards County Farm Bureau received a grant to purchase enhanced radio equipment for the Albion Rural Fire Department.

• Nauvoo Police Department, through Hancock County Farm Bureau, received funding for new portable radios.

• Williamsfield Fire Protection District, through Knox County Farm Bureau, received a grant for multi-band radio upgrades to streamline communication between WFPD in Knox County and 911 dispatch, as well as other fire departments in Peoria County.

• Alhambra Community Fire Protection District, through Madison County Farm Bureau, received funding for a new rural fire district address sign program that will provide identifying address signage that will allow for easier access and quicker response times in case of fire or emergencies.

• Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Fire Protection District, through McLean County Farm Bureau, received a grant for a QTAC trailer for their firefighting rescue skid unit.

• Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, through Montgomery County Farm Bureau, received a grant for communication upgrades to ensure emergency responders maintain consistent communication across long distances.

• Bureau County 4-H Clubs, through Bureau County Farm Bureau, received a grant for the Bureau County IL 4-H Clubs Inc.’s food stand repairs and equipment replacement.

• Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, through Douglas County Farm Bureau, received a grant for Placer.ai Software, which will be used as an economic development tool to attract new businesses, help existing businesses retain market share and create targeted marketing campaigns.

• Franklin County Farm Bureau received a grant for its Farm Emergency Plan, a collaboration with local fire chiefs to help with emergency responses at area farms.

• Sycamore Acres, through Fulton County Farm Bureau, received funding to create a one-acre u-pick flower, vegetable and pumpkin patch, as well as two mobile farm stand booths to serve as small business incubators.

• Boyd Healthcare Services, through Greene County Farm Bureau, received a grant to support the building of anew rural health clinic to provide healthcare and on-site emergency service to northern Greene County.

• Warsaw Mercantile, through Hancock County Farm Bureau, received funding to purchase equipment for their indoor farmers market to better provide the area with access to healthy, locally produced foods.

• Jo Daviess Local Foods, through Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau, received a grant to expand its operations by covering the cost of cold storage, including a display cooler and freezer, for the local food hub.

• City of Mendota, through La Salle County Farm Bureau, received funding to support the Work Well Mendota project, which will provide a low-cost service for individuals and businesses to receive support to develop business plans, create marketing plans, create succession plans and network with other businesses county-wide to establish and sustain business in the region.

• North Central Regional Betterment Coalition, through La Salle County Farm Bureau, received a grant to launch a Dolly Parton Imagination Library in three counties.

• Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County, through Livingston County Farm Bureau, received funding for the Intergenerational Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County project, which seeks to build a new intergenerational community center that will focus on the needs of all residents with an emphasis on children and older adults.

• Massac County Youth Fair and Community Center, through Massac County Farm Bureau, received a grant to support renovations to the Massac County Community Center Building.

• West Prairie Water Cooperative, through McDonough County Farm Bureau, received funding for engineering fees for construction of a second water tower.

• Greenview Civic Improvement Association, through Menard County Farm Bureau, received a grant to help replace the HVAC units in the Greenview Community Center.

• Mercer County Better Together, through Mercer County Farm Bureau, received funding for Project Flourish: Building Local Producer Capacity Through a Collaborative Approach, to purchase cold storage for the public-facing retail component of the project.

• Baby Sarah’s Playground Planning Committee, through Perry County Farm Bureau, received a grant to build an inclusive, handicap-accessible play area.