Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin has announced $93.4 million in federal funds will be going to a company to help develop a wind farm in Worth County.

The money going to Barton Wind Farm comes through a section of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The program provides assistance to energy producers in place of tax credits that they may not be otherwise be able to utilize.

Nationally, the development of additional wind farms has been sharply reduced this year because of the economic downturn. The federal program was put in place to allow cash-strapped companies to move forward with renewable energy projects.

Harkin noted Tuesday the wind energy industry helps to create jobs and grow the state’s economy, while at the same time lowering the cost of energy.