CHAPTER 30
EMPOWER RURAL IOWA PROGRAM
[Prior to 02/22/23, see Economic Development Authority[261] Ch 222]
261—30.1(89GA,HF871,HF2564) Purpose. The empower rural Iowa initiative was created by Executive Order Number 3 dated July 18, 2018, which directs the authority to provide staffing and administrative assistance for the initiative and its associated task forces.
[ARC 5963C, IAB 10/6/21, effective 9/17/21; ARC 6892C, IAB 2/22/23, effective 3/29/23]
261—30.2(89GA,HF871,HF2564) 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 Number 3 dated July 18, 2018.
“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.
[ARC 5963C, IAB 10/6/21, effective 9/17/21; ARC 6892C, IAB 2/22/23, effective 3/29/23]
261—30.3(89GA,HF871,HF2564) 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 published by the investing in rural Iowa task force, the growing rural Iowa task force, and the connecting rural Iowa task force created by the empower rural Iowa initiative and administered by the authority.
[ARC 5963C, IAB 10/6/21, effective 9/17/21; ARC 6892C, IAB 2/22/23, effective 3/29/23]
These rules are intended to implement 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 871, and 2022 Iowa Acts, House File 2564.
[Filed Emergency After Notice ARC 5963C (Notice ARC 5789C, IAB 7/28/21), IAB 10/6/21, effective 9/17/21]
[Filed ARC 6892C (Notice ARC 6737C, IAB 12/14/22), IAB 2/22/23, effective 3/29/23]