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An ITC transmission pole along a trail in the city of Dysart, Iowa
    We Are ITC Midwest  »  Community Engagement  »  Economic Development

Economic Development

Community Engagement

Working for a Greater Grid in the Midwest

ITC Midwest invests in transmission infrastructure to improve reliability and reduce system congestion, thus lowering the overall cost of delivered energy to meet the needs of our customers. At the same time, we work closely with economic development partners, regional and local utilities to encourage business retention and expansion in the Midwest. Increasing electricity demand, or load, helps mitigate the impact of our investments to the network transmission rate. 

The Power of Connection Community Grant Program

Our electric transmission projects and the resulting system reliability are key elements to support to economic growth throughout our region. The support of economic development organizations across our service territory fits hand-in-glove with our mission.

Power of Connection Logo

For example, in 2019, ITC Midwest and the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) launched the Power of Connection Community Grant Program to facilitate economic development in rural communities across Iowa. This innovative economic development program is designed to pair rural communities seeking assistance with resource teams from IRDC member organizations, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Small Business Administration and the Iowa Finance Authority.

Those teams drive both community conversations and solution development for problems or projects. Ultimately, grants of up to $5,000 – funded by ITC Midwest and the IRDC – may be awarded to rural communities for capacity building, strategic planning, studies or assessment. Since the program was initiated, 12 economic development projects have been funded. The projects are designed to improve the quality of life and economic climate in each community through attracting new individuals and families to live and work in each locale. Projects have included support of new child care learning centers, new trails and recreational amenities, housing studies and initiatives to redevelop downtown areas in rural communities.