Three small town grocery stores are among five businesses to receive $5,000 grants from the state. Iowa Economic Development Authority spokesperson, Kannen  Kappleman, says the grants are targeted at rural communities.

“Projects should exist and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater,” she says. The business has to be in one of the 88 at least populous counties in Iowa.

The La Perla Jarocha Store in Webster City which carries products from Latin America and other countries got one of the grants.”They are looking to increase their storage capacity that will allow for more diverse inventory, including a year round selection of fresh produce and perishable goods,” Kappleman says. A store in Pocahontas County also received a grant.
“The Woods Supermarket in Pocahontas County is the only grocery store within the county, and they are going to install shelf tags,” she says. Kappleman says the shelf tags will allow the store to quickly make accurate price changes. “This will save staff time and help the store remain competitive,” she says. Freeman Foods in North English & Wellman received a grant for technology upgrades at both grocery locations to support online ordering, as well as pick-up and delivery services for customers in Washington and Keokuk counties.

In manufacturing, Lansing Housing Products received a grant. They have patented safety screens, and they’re hoping to expand their market to Japan and hurricane regions — places that would need products — such as the ones that they produce,” Kappleman says. Calyx Creek Lavendar & Lodging in Oxford got a grant to move production of lavender products on-site, and help them create six new products. The facility uses its own Iowa-grown lavender for products that include lavender-infused baking mixes, lavender syrups, drink blends and culinary lavender buds.

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