"We don't make a lot of money by being partners with this program. But we've made a huge difference for a lot of Keokuk families. By updating their furnaces, these families are saving hundreds of dollars every month. In a city that is struggling so much, it feels great to have made a difference."

"Before working with Community Action of Southeast Iowa, I was at a plumbing supply company and not really learning many new skills. Now, I’m able to do a lot of different things, from installing insulation to replacing window panes and a lot more. Every day, I’m learning first hand how to make a house more energy efficient and more affordable to heat. I love what I’m doing."

This project, involving over 2,000 acres of prime Iowa cropland, is designed to mitigate the effects of fertilizer runoff draining into the Des Moines River by constructing a small wetland (approximately 22 acres) that will naturally filter runoff from fields in the drainage district. With broader application, such projects can significantly limit runoff that, today, severely affects waters in the lower Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico. $1.5 million of ARRA funds finance over half of the project.

The city of Hartley has historically municipal water from deep well sources which can produce mineral-rich water with an increased possibility of contamination from farm chemical leaching. With no other ready fresh water resource, i.e. river or other stream, the city researched the feasibility of installing a reverse osmosis process capable of treating the well water to be safer and more palatable.

"I would not have been able to afford to heat my house this winter had it not been for the weatherization services. It has taken hundreds of dollars off my monthly utility bills. It really saved me with being able to afford to stay in my house. I am very grateful."

"The men even did extra work such as working on my porch. The program provided the materials to fix the ceilings upstairs and the furnace doesn’t have to work as much since the insulation was put it. The house is much quieter now."

North Fayette Community School District needed assistance to continue providing a quality education to its students. With the help of ARRA funding, the district has been able to maintain and improve vital programs. Money went to several projects, including professional development for teaching staff and Title One programs.

Treynor Community School District was able to rebound from state budget cuts with the help of ARRA funding. The district has been able to maintain jobs, such as their Title One employee as well as hiring an additional special education teacher.

Despite its recent growth, the Linn-Mar Community School District needed federal funding to maintain jobs, pay for programs and avoid cutting classroom budgets. Because of the over $2.6 million in ARRA funding the district received, it was able to not only maintain its high standards, but raise them. With the funding, Linn-Mar can support its teachers, guidance counselors, School Administrative Managers and custodial staff. The district received IDEA money to work with Autism Consultants and improve its special education programs, as well as partner with Goodwill Industries to teach special needs students life skills. The school district is clearly feeling the effect of ARRA funding.