The Center for Rural Affairs applauds U.S. Reps. Zach Nunn (IA-3) and Angie Craig (MN-2), who on Friday introduced the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act of 2023. The legislation proposes changes to the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) and would expand opportunities for rural small businesses for years to come.

RMAP benefits rural entrepreneurs who are unable to access credit from traditional lenders by providing loans and technical assistance through intermediary organizations, such as the Center. The program, which was established in the 2008 farm bill, has provided critical support to small businesses in at least 45 states.

“Rural entrepreneurship continues to evolve, and it is important that programs like RMAP do the same,” said Johnathan Hladik, policy director for the Center. “Reps. Nunn and Craig understand how important small businesses are for rural communities and recognize what it takes to succeed.”

Rep. Nunn introduced the legislation alongside three small business owners and the Center in Ottumwa, Iowa.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our rural areas, providing needed services and a sense of community that drive the economy,” Rep. Nunn said. “As costs climb for businesses, we need to adapt to ensure additional support to these job creators throughout the areas that need it most.”

With language developed alongside stakeholders across the country, the legislation includes key program changes that would provide direct benefits to entrepreneurs. These updates increase the maximum loan amount from $50,000 to $75,000 and allow small businesses to use loan funds for construction and renovation projects.

“Raising the loan cap is a direct response to the increased cost of doing business since 2008,” Hladik said. “In addition, the legislation will make it easier for entrepreneurs to update and revitalize rural main street storefronts.”

If successful, the legislation will be included in the nation’s next farm bill.

“We commend Reps. Nunn and Craig for their leadership on behalf of rural small businesses, and encourage congressional leaders to include provisions of the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act in the final farm bill package,” Hladik said.

The Fairfield Police Department would like to recognize the excellent performance of our area Emergency Services working as one team in an emergency response.

On July 11, 2023, our Dispatch Center received a 911 call involving a serious medical emergency in a vehicle on Highway 34 as it bypasses Fairfield. Two Fairfield Police Department’s Communications Specialists (CS), Dispatch Supervisor Shannon Pester and CS Kate Waller, gave pre-arrival, lifesaving instructions to the 911 caller. The two Communications Specialists simultaneously dispatched the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) unit with the Fairfield Fire Department (FFD), Care Ambulance, two Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Deputies, and a Fairfield Police Department (FPD) Officer to assist in the high-risk traffic area.

JCSO Deputy Tyler Rysdam, JCSO Deputy Nelson Torres Rodriguez, and FPD Sergeant William Riegel arrived at the scene before Emergency Medical Services. The medical emergency patient was removed from the vehicle to assess. The patient did not have a pulse and CPR was initiated. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was also applied to the patient and utilized. The patient was transported to the Jefferson County Health Center’s (JCHC) Emergency Room by Care Ambulance. The family of the patient later advised Emergency Services that the patient survived.

On August 21, 2023, Sgt. Riegel, Deputy Rysdam, and Deputy Torres Rodriquez were recognized and thanked by the American Heart Association for these efforts. The training for CPR and the AED were through this great organization.

The Fairfield Police Department would like to recognize and thank the Emergency Services teams who respond every time with this professionalism. This happens every day in Fairfield and Jefferson County. We worry about only recognizing this one incident.

Thank you to the Fairfield Police Department’s Communications Specialists who answer the other end of 911 calls and coordinate/supervise each response. The dedication to Emergency Services and your monthly advanced training courses are greatly appreciated.  The professional voice over the radio is truly the calm in the storm.

Thank you to all the Emergency Medical Service agencies in our area. This includes all the great First Responder Services who respond from their homes in emergencies, the Fairfield Fire Department who assist with all medical calls, the Care Ambulance Service who provides advanced medical care, and the JCHC professional staff who are always there for our entire community.

Finally, thank you to all area Law Enforcement who still train in several areas of the medical field after all the other training we ask them to take every year. We acknowledge that they take monthly training for criminal/case laws, investigations, de-escalation, child/dependent adult abuse, defensive tactics, implicit bias, driving, cultural sensitivity, firearms, mental health crisis response, general liability concerns, and the list goes on and on. We also ask them to attend a week of medical training for Law Enforcement First Responder certification, additional trauma/stroke/heart emergency responses, CPR, AED, and Narcan administration. Thank you for your time spent training for all these emergencies.

Lowell Hill is now completely reopen to the public, the Henry County Engineer office has confirmed today. After a good week of work with limited effects from the weather, the road is clear and all work is done.

Community Action of Southeast Iowa is currently looking for donations to their food pantry. As of right now, they are requesting pancake mix that is ready made so that all you need to do is add water. This is a very versatile food as you can add strawberries and bananas for a healthy breakfast, a scoop of protein, or just classic syrup. Pancake mix is perfect for those with limited resources.

You can drop off your donation to any of the locations in Burlington, Keokuk, Mt. Pleasant, and Ft. Madison 8am-4pm M-F, and Tuesday and Wednesday for our friends in Columbus Junction.

Southeastern Community College (SCC) was awarded a nearly $650,000 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This money will be used to refine its industrial technology program for the Keokuk campus.

This three-year grant will allow the college to update its current Industrial Maintenance Technology program, which will infuse more training in automation and robotics technologies.

SCC president Dr. Michael Ash says the grant will fund the college’s ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of skills training for area workers and employers.

“Our region is only as strong as our workforce,” said Ash. “These enhancements mean that future graduates will be even better suited to step into the high-skill positions that area manufacturers need to stay competitive. It’s a win for everyone.”

The ATE grant program focuses on the education of technicians who work in high-tech fields that drive the nation’s economy. This is SCC’s first-ever ATE grant and is spread across a three-year timeframe with milestones each year. In addition to instruction updates and equipment upgrades, the plan includes career awareness and exploration initiatives for Lee County K-12 school districts.

If you’d like to read more about this, visit SCCIowa.edu.

The Midwest Old Threshers Reunion begins next week, and while most enjoy looking at tractors and steam engines, listening to the country music, and learning about the past, something everyone can agree on is that they love food. The Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant is selling tickets for their Spaghetti Supper on Wednesday, August 30^th from 5pm-7pm.

This event is drive thru and there is limited indoor and outdoor seating for those who arrive early enough. These tickets are sold for $12 each and can be purchased at the church office, 902 S Walnut st, Mt. Pleasant, from 9am-2pm.

This will be a great way to kickoff the reunion and enjoy some spaghetti while doing so. Of course, this is the same date as the Harvest Day Parade which begins at 3:30pm and will be the official start to a fantastic and busy week at Midwest Old Threshers.

Old Threshers is always such a busy time and seems to take over the town of Mt. Pleasant in a joyous celebration. Of course, this means that there will be changes throughout routines for businesses and individuals. The Food Pantry will be open on Wednesday, August 30^th, from 10am-2pm, instead of their usual hours on Thursday. Also, the Fellowship Cup will be operating under unusual hours as it will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 8/30 and will reopen 9/5 at 8:00 a.m.

The Henry County RSVP (Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program) is looking for more volunteers, and not just for the Fellowship Cup and Food Pantry. If you are 55 years of age or older, you can sign up! Just contact Lindsey at 319 385 3242 to learn about volunteer opportunities throughout Henry County!