A soldier from the 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., distributes equipment from the micro-grant program to a local Iraqi businessman who plans to expand his business. The micro-grants are expected to boost the local economy. Photo by Spc. Chastity Boykin

With the improvement of security, the business community is in a better position to grow. But in order to grow, some small businesses need some help.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, recently distributed micro-grants to 36 small business owners in Maysan province.

The micro-grant program is designed to stimulate the local economy by improving and expanding local businesses, said Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team economic advisor, Donna Carter.

U.S. forces issue micro-grants in sums of up to $5,000 to Iraqi small business owners who are chosen after a deliberate application process. Approximately 30 days after the micro-grants are issued, U.S. troops will follow up to assess the business owners’ progress.

A micro-grant recipient and local car-repair shop owner said he plans on using the new equipment, a car jack, tools, and a generator, from the grant to improve his business and expand his shop.

According to Sgt. 1st Class William Riley, project manager for Maysan, with Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, assigned to 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., business owners who wish to receive a grant must first provide a plan of action of how the grant will be used. Businesses are then screened according to how the grant will impact the individual business and the local economy.

“Many of these shops lack the essential equipment to efficiently conduct day-to-day operations. By providing tools to help make these shops viable economically, it provides an opportunity for them to grow and contribute to the overall economic health and stability of the province,” said Riley.

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Story by Spc. Chastity Boykin

A newly-built truck lift is demonstrated before a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Maysan Central Wheat Granary of the where a newly-built truck lift was unveiled. The hydraulic truck lift will be a valuable addition to the granary, which can hold upwards of 10,000 tons. Before the lift was built, workers had to unload grain trucks using shovels, a task that could take hours to complete. Photo by Pfc. Khori Johnson

The Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team and Soldiers of Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, which is attached to 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Maysan Central Wheat Granary to unveil a newly-built truck lift.

The hydraulic truck lift will be a valuable addition to the granary, which can hold more than 10,000 tons of grain. Before the lift was built, workers had to unload grain trucks using shovels, a task that took hours to complete.

With the addition of the truck lift, unloading grain will take a fraction of the time, said 2nd Lt. Boykin Lucas, a Camden, S.C., native serving as a platoon leader and project purchasing officer with Battery A, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Regt., 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

The governor of Maysan, Muhammad Shi’a Sabar Hatim al Sudani, cut the ribbon to unveil the finished project, and the crowd on hand responded with applause and songs of celebration.

The project was a joint effort between the PRT, the Iraqi government, and the ‘Iron’ Brigade. The PRT and the GOI acquired and installed the truck lift while 3rd BCT assisted with construction.

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Story by Pfc. Khori Johnson

Members of the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team and a Soldier with Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division evaluate the construction of the Maysan Plastics Factory in Al Amarah

U.S. forces in southern Iraq set out to improve the quality of life and economic future of one province in their area of operations.

The Soldiers of Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in conjunction with the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team are working to rebuild a plastics factory in Maysan, which will not only provide jobs but help the agricultural industry in the region.

The plastics factory is a key industrial site in the town of Al Amarah, capable of improving the quality of life of the people of Maysan province by providing jobs and everyday products in this agrarian region.

Before 2003, the factory was fully operational, providing PVC pipe to the farmers around the province. After 2003, the factory saw subsequent waves of looters who left the factory damaged beyond repair. This severely affected the supply of pipes and increased foreign importing of plastic goods, said Stephen Banks, the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team Leader.

Seven years later, Battery A, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Regt. and the PRT are working to replace the damaged equipment in an effort to make the factory operational again.

“The factory employs over 300 Iraqi workers,” Banks said. “This will stimulate the economy by promoting the development of ancillary business, such as delivery services and retail outlets.”Maysan is dependent on agricultural development where modern irrigation systems are crucial to farms’ success. Old methods of irrigation involve repeatedly flooding the fields from canals. PVC pipe links canals to irrigation pumps so water can be distributed in a more efficient manner, increasing crop output.

“The plastic factory will facilitate Iraqi development while decreasing the dependence of imported merchandise.” said 2nd Lt. Lucas Boykin, project purchasing officer and platoon leader, Battery A, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Regt.

Soldiers supporting this mission acknowledge the fact they are getting to assist in the reconstruction of key infrastructure in Iraq.

“These projects [show people] that U.S. forces have a genuine concern about their way of life,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Obermuller.

In addition to agricultural uses, the plastic piping can be used to upgrade the waste water treatment and sanitation services in Maysan. Low cost, high-quality piping will directly improve the province’s quality of life, Banks said.

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By 2nd Lt. Timothy Lewin

The sugar refining machinery inside the Majaar Al Kabir Sugar Factory in Maysan, Iraq.

Escorting and assisting Provincial Reconstruction Team efforts to build up the civilian infrastructure is almost a daily task for many Soldiers deployed to Iraq, however, the project that members of Task Force Pathfinders participated in Dec. 18, could be considered extra sweet.

Second Platoon, “B” Battery, 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Pathfinders rolled out that day with eight members of the Department of Defense’s Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations to the city of Al Majaar Al Kabir, in southern Iraq’s Maysan province.

They were escorting TF-BSO personnel to evaluate the Al Majaar Al Kabir Sugar Factory, in need of renovation. The manager of the sugar factory brought in engineers and representatives from several departments within his corporation to meet with the taskforce.

TF-BSO recently completed two inspections with “B” Btry. The first was an initial evaluation of the factory’s buildings. The second was to examine the machinery inside and the sugar cane fields once used to supply the factory.

The fields still grow sugar cane, but, without the means to refine it into a finished product, locals have to sell the cane to factories outside of Maysan. The refined sugar then makes its way back to the province and is resold at increased prices in local markets.

The partnership between the Maysan PRT and the Soldiers of “B” Btry is a new one in Iraq, part of the Army’s ‘advise and assist’ concept to better integrate military support into building-up civilian infrastructure.

“The battery does a great job supporting our operations and projects in any way they can,” said Steven Banks, Maysan PRT’s team leader, “We’re delighted to have such great and enthusiastic partners.”

While this partnership consists mostly of escort missions to various projects, “B” Battery also conducts Commander’s Emergency Response Program inspections and reconnaissance missions to assess Maysan’s civil capacity needs.

Each CERP project is a direct result of a recognized need within the Maysan province, coordinated with the provincial government, but requiring funding and expertise local elected leaders simply don’t have. Projects cover a variety of civilian needs and are steadily making an impact on the overall quality of life of the citizens of Maysan.

The rehabilitation of the sugar factory is a TF-BSO-led project with help from the Maysan PRT.

Donna Carter, the Maysan PRT’s economic advisor, said the facility was “once a thriving industry in Maysan.” The factory was capable of providing all of Iraq with its sugar supply and was once referred to as the “jewel of Majaar Al Kabir,” but the factory had since been left neglected and abandoned.

“Its state of disrepair stands as a symbol of the despair, frustration and anger felt by many in the province,” said Carter.

“Revitalization of this major factory will have a far-reaching impact,” Carter said, “not only for the people of Maysan, but also for a legacy of American good will we hope to leave.”

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By 2nd Lt. Anthony Greco