RC&D shares update on 2019 projects

Lori Scovel, Limestone Bluffs RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development) met with the Jones County Supervisors during their Dec. 10 board meeting. Scovel presented an update on the happenings of Limestone Bluffs, and requested funding from the county in the amount of $7,000 for Fiscal Year 2021. 

In last week’s Express, we published all the work that RC&D has done concerning the Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority. This article sums up the remaining work they’ve done for Jones County. 

They offer a USDA RBDG (Rural Business Development Grant) Small Business Development Project and revolving loan fund. 

“We are thrilled to be able to do some work with small businesses within our region,” said Scovel. 

While this project is still in the planning phase, Scovel explained the grant “will allow us to assist small businesses in five counties.” 

RC&D’s goal is to help at least 10 businesses with a variety of things such as business plans, marketing, training on bookwork, or social media/ website assistance. 

The deadline to apply for the RBDG program is Tuesday, Dec. 31. Visit www. limestonebluffsrcd.org to apply. 

Scovel shared that RC&D has $47,000 in its revolving loan fund, which can be made available to small businesses. Since 1992, over $1.2 million in assistance has gone out to small businesses to retain and create jobs. 

In addition, Scovel said they want to help businesses specifically along the Grant Wood Scenic Byway. 

“We’re doing a wellness check,” explained Scovel. “Can you find these businesses on Google Maps? Do they have a Facebook page? Do they have a website? Are they up dated? We want to gain a barometer check of what are their needs.” 

She said the idea is to set up workshops to benefit these small businesses. 

The RBDG is also about working with area non-profits. In particular, Scovel worked with the Monticello Heritage & Cultural Center by hosting a mini grant-writing session. 

“So many of our non-profits are run strictly by volunteers,” she said. “They really struggle some times in how to do things like apply for grants. We’re also seeing issues with strategic planning. What is the best way we can support these non-profits?” 

RC&D also continues to work on the “Go Limestone Trails” project through the regional cultural council. This grant-funded project started in 2015. Since then, they’ve created six trail maps that highlight restaurants, farmers markets, retail shops, etc. 

In 2019, Scovel said they took this project on the road and attended several events where they showcased the trail maps. One of those was the Edinburgh Folk Fest in Jones County. 

“Our goal is to continue our work with Go Limestone Trails. We do have a grant that is out now, and we are thinking about doing two new trails in 2020. We’ll have to wait and see if the grant comes through for us to be able to do that.” 

For more details, visit www.golimestonetrails.org. 

While RC&D does work with local food producers, Scovel said nothing has been set up in Jones County yet. They are working with the City of Dubuque in creating a Food Policy Council to identify the serious local food needs in Dubuque County. 

In addition, Scovel said Dubuque is working with Linn and Johnson County’s Food Policy Councils. They’ve been asked by the state legislature to keep them updated on possible state guidelines or regulations that could be put in place at the state level. 

“Most of the food councils now are in metro areas,” Scovel said. “But how does that affect our rural communities? Some folks in our small towns are food desserts and don’t have access to a grocery store.” 

Lastly, Scovel shared that RC&D also serves as the fiscal agent for the Amber Community Club. “We have that capacity to help those non-profits.” 

Since its inception in 1992, Limestone Bluffs was responsible for over $30 million in investments through its grant programs and projects.