It Takes More Than Money

Small businesses are the heart of Iowa’s economy. Iowa has an estimated total of 261,800 small businesses. Keeping them vital is important to Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa program. Recognizing the importance of small business’ contribution to our state’s economic health and vitality, the Iowa Farm Bureau created an innovative program to enhance and improve the economic growth of Iowa.  In 2007, Renew Rural Iowa, a program designed to increase enterprise value of both new and existing business in Iowa’s small towns was developed. Through business education, mentoring and financial resources, the program connects entrepreneurs to the necessary resources to nurture and grow their business in rural Iowa. The Rural Vitality Fund was created out of the Renew Rural Iowa program and is the general partner for two funding sources; the Rural Vitality Fund, LP (RVF) and Rural Vitality Ag Processing Fund, LP (RVAPF). These funds are made available thro... [More]