Stratford-Iowa U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley today (Tuesday) welcomed an announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund a $345,000 pass-through loan from the Stratford Mutual Telephone Company to the city of Stratford to expand the emergency medical services facility and to help purchase a new firetruck for the Stratford Fire Department. This is through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. This project is to create three jobs in the Stratford community. The purpose of this funding is to provide rural economic development to Hamilton County and for the community of Stratford.