HIRTA receives Newton support in pursuit of Empower Rural Iowa Grant

Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA) has the support of the Newton City Council in its application for more grant funding that officials say will be used to purchase an upgraded scheduling software application, making it easier for residents to utilize their public transportation system in the process.

City council members on Monday, March 15 approved a resolution of support for HIRTA, allowing the organization to pursue Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Rural Innovation Grant. Iowa businesses, colleges and universities, local government and private 501(c)3 nonprofit agencies are eligible.

As one of two types of Empower Rural Iowa Grant Programs developed by IEDA, the Rural Innovation Grant Program “supports creative, non-traditional ideas that focus on current issues and challenges faced by rural communities.” The program specifies projects must align with one of three rural Iowa themes:

• Growth — “Supports community leaders as they think holistically and act collaboratively to inform and connect leaders to rural issues, grow vibrant community gathering places, and develop tools to train and educate the next generation of leaders.”

• Investment — “Projects that develop creative, scalable development solutions, including but not limited to projects addressing rural housing solutions, infill and reuse strategies, and affordable, sustainable designs.”

• Connection — “Projects that improve and expand opportunities for diverse members of Iowa’s rural communities to utilize high-speed broadband service.”

Applicants that are not a local government must include a letter of support form the mayor or a resolution from the city council. According to the IEDA, projects and programs must exist in and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city with more than 40,000 people.

Rural Innovation Grant Program’s funding is based on annual availability. Applicants have the opportunity to receive $1,000-$20,000 in grant funding and require some level of cash match. Scoring is based on innovation and replication, implementation, evaluation, public value, partnerships, budget and local support.

In 2020, the 17 out of 22 applicants received Rural Innovation Grants, of which about $300,000 was distributed for various projects.

The Bellevue Community School District used its funds for a mentoring program between students and business owners; the City of Epworth invested in downtown signage and facade improvements; and an LLC in Jefferson developed a co-working space in a historic building.

Applications for the Rural Innovation Grant Program are due April 16.

HIRTA has been providing public transit services to seven rural Iowa counties — Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story and Warren — since 1981.

Brooke Ramsey, business development manager of HIRTA, said in fall 2019 the organization worked with Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) to assist in a research project. CTAA reviewed the region HIRTA operates in and the way it conducts service delivery.

“They made a recommendation that we adopt a service model that introduced a hybrid of our route and door-to-door service,” Ramsey said. “They specifically focused on Newton as a service area. The model would allow flexibility in the way we schedule and provide more availability for (on)-demand response.”

HIRTA adopted a new business plan in May 2020 and incorporated those recommendations. Ramsey said it focuses on service sustainability while preserving capacity and improvements in HIRTA’s capital, mostly in technology, business processes and outreach.

“It’s important that we continue to support our local economy and connect residents to our local businesses and employment opportunities,” Ramsey said. “We want to continue to find ways to help the community meet those needs, and technology is an important part.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com