ARC 9301C

ARC 9301C

Rulemaking related to empower rural Iowa program

Notice of Intended Action for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on February 19, 2025, as ARC 8929C. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●March 11, 2025

●March 13, 2025

No one attended the public hearings. No public comments were received. No changes from the Notice have been made.

ITEM 1.Rescind 261—Chapter 30 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 30

EMPOWER RURAL IOWA PROGRAM

261—30.1(90GA,SF559,SF2432) Purpose. The empower rural Iowa initiative was created by Executive Order 3 (July 18, 2018), which directed the authority to provide staffing and administrative assistance for the initiative and its associated task forces. Executive Order 11 (October 19, 2023) amended and superseded Executive Order 3 (July 18, 2018) and restructured the initiative.

261—30.2(90GA,SF559,SF2432) Definitions. As used in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:

“Authority” means the economic development authority created in Iowa Code section 15.105.

“Director” means the director of the authority.

“Empower rural Iowa initiative” or “initiative” means the initiative created by Executive Order 3 (July 18, 2018) and Executive Order 11 (October 19, 2023).

“Rural community” means either an Iowa city with a population of 20,000 or less and that is not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater, or an Iowa county that is one of the 88 least populous counties in the state.

261—30.3(90GA,SF559,SF2432) Eligible uses of funds.

30.3(1) Funds appropriated to the authority for the empower rural Iowa program shall be used to address the challenges and opportunities of rural communities. Uses of funds shall be approved by the director.

30.3(2) Eligible uses of funds include the following:

a.The rural housing needs assessment grant program administered pursuant to 261—Chapter 28;

b.The rural innovation grant program administered pursuant to 261—Chapter 29;

c.Support for entrepreneurship and cooperative business models for businesses in rural communities;

d.Leadership development training for representatives of rural communities;

e.Education and training opportunities relating to succession planning for businesses in rural communities;

f.Promotion of e-commerce opportunities for businesses in rural communities; and

g.Implementation of additional recommendations identified by the empower rural Iowa task force.

These rules are intended to implement 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 559; 2024 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2432; and Executive Order 11 (October 19, 2023).

[Filed 5/7/25, effective 7/2/25]

[Published 5/28/25]

EDITOR’S NOTE: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 5/28/25.