According to local and county leaders, residents should see little interruption of services at this time due to the federal government shutdown.

City of Fort Dodge Communications Manager Amanda Holmes said the shutdown will not affect the city and that services will continue as usual.

“We don’t expect any impact on federal grants,” said Holmes.

Webster County officials also do not anticipate immediate impact on federal grants.

The Women, Infants, and Children program, which is made available through the Webster County Health Department and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is also anticipated to continue at this time throughout the area. WIC provides mothers and children with health screenings, nutritious foods, and education and counseling.

“Tomorrow is the start of a new grant cycle for the WIC program,” said Emma Bayus, WIC program coordinator for the Webster County Health Department. “I expect to continue to hold WIC clinics and provide food benefits to eligible clients per normal.”

The Veterans Affairs of Central Iowa outpatient clinic located at 530 S. 25th St. in Fort Dodge will remain open throughout the shutdown.

According to Sam Hircock, visual information specialist for the VA of Central Iowa, the clinic will not be affected and patients should keep their upcoming appointments. According to Hircock, the VA of Central Iowa receives two years forward on federal funding and will remain operational.

The U.S. Postal Service will also remain operational throughout the shutdown. USPS is an independent agency that is largely funded by its own revenue and will not be immediately affected.

The government shutdown began at midnight after a deal to fund the federal government wasn’t passed by Congress.

Over the last five decades, there have been 21 federal shutdowns, many of which lasted only a day or two. The most recent shutdown lasted 34 days and was the longest, between December 2018 and January 2019.