KALONA

Local grocers Freeman Foods and JW’s Foods were among 20 recipients of Rural Innovation Grants announced Jan. 9 by Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (EIDA). Both will use the funds to enhance online ordering systems.

This year’s grants focus on independently owned grocery stories struggling to upgrade technology or adopt new service delivery models; small food producers, to assist in getting their products into new markets; and second-stage growth companies – those that have been operating for a few years with sales typically more than $1 million – that are looking to sell to markets outside Iowa.

Freeman Foods was awarded $25,000 to build out an online ordering system. Technology upgrades at both Wellman and North English locations will support online ordering, pick-up, and delivery services. Point-of-sale and back-office systems will also be updated to better serve customers, particularly aging populations and those living in rural areas of Washington and Keokuk counties.

JW’s Foods was also selected from the 40 applicants and awarded the maximum grant amount of $25,000, which will be used to install a locker system for online ordering at the Kalona store.

The successful grant applications were made in collaboration with the Cities of Wellman and Kalona, who provided grant writing assistance.

The Rural Innovation Grant program supports creative, nontraditional ideas that address critical issues and development challenges faced by communities that have both fewer than 20,000 people and are not located next to a city with a population exceeding 40,000.

More than $275,000 in awards to small businesses are being distributed through the governor’s Empower Rural Iowa initiative.