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ST. ANSGAR, Iowa (Jan. 28, 2021) – A local effort to expand housing and serve other community development needs has received $2,100 through a Power of Connection grant administered jointly by ITC Midwest and the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC).

The project consists of developing a 35-acre parcel adjacent to St. Ansgar’s school, daycare, walking trail and existing housing.  The property was recently acquired by a forward-thinking couple in an effort to spur expansion in this ideal location.  The development project is being undertaken collaboratively and involves the landowner, the City of St. Ansgar, St. Ansgar Community Schools, Wee Saints Daycare, the St. Ansgar Economic Development Corp., the North Iowa Area Council of Governments, and private contractors/realtors. The goal is to maximize the use of this property for current and future community needs. The school and daycare are each working toward facility expansions on the new parcel, and project leaders are actively pursuing housing development opportunities on the remaining property. 

The grant program, launched late last year by ITC Midwest and IRDC, is intended to help fund feasibility studies, strategic planning and non-construction/equipment elements of a rural project.  For the St. Ansgar development, the funding will be used to offset an engineering study as the project gets underway.

“We are so excited to be supported by ITC Midwest. This grant is incredibly helpful for us to continue to make progress with this new development,” said Keith Horgen, Mayor of St. Ansgar.  “For our small community of 1,100, this project has major potential for long-term benefit and growth.”

“The lack of development tracts for new housing and other growth opportunities is constraining economic development throughout rural areas of the state and the region,” noted ITC Midwest President Dusky Terry. “By working together, communities can overcome this challenge. Through the Power of Connection program in collaboration with the Iowa Rural Development Council, ITC Midwest is pleased to support the development initiative being planned in St. Ansgar to spur growth in the area and improve the overall quality of life.”

Communities eligible for the Power of Connection program must have populations of under 10,000 and be outside of a metropolitan area. Power of Connectiongrant dollars cannot be used for construction, real estate or equipment.

For more information about program details, contact IRDC Executive Director Bill Menner at DIRECTOR@IOWARDC.ORG or call 641-990-4757.

About ITC Midwest  
ITC Midwest LLC is a subsidiary of ITC HOLDINGS CORP., the largest independent electricity transmission company in the U.S. ITC Midwest operates nearly 6,700 circuit miles of transmission lines in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri, and holds utility status in Wisconsin. ITC Midwest is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and maintains regional operating facilities in Dubuque, Iowa City and Perry, Iowa; and Albert Lea and Lakefield, Minnesota.  For further information visit WWW.ITC-HOLDINGS.COM. ITC is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information visit WWW.FORTISINC.COM.

About the Iowa Rural Development Council
The IOWA RURAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL is a non-profit public-private partnership featuring members ranging from federal agencies to utilities, universities and community colleges and for-profit entities.  The Council is a federal Farm Bill-authorized organization that seeks to empower rural communities and bring together partners to advance the interests of rural Iowa. 

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Media Contacts: 

Bill Menner, Executive Director, Iowa Rural Development Council 
DIRECTOR@IOWARDC.ORG or 641-990-4757

Rod Pritchard, Manager of Marketing and Communications, ITC Midwest
RPRITCHARD@ITCTRANSCO.COM or 319-350-9255

Luke Porisch, President, St. Ansgar Economic Development Corp.
LPORISCH@GMAIL.COM or 641-390-1615

Keith Horgen, Mayor of St. Ansgar
STAMAYOR@MYOMNITEL.COM or 641-590-3917