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Trump Administration Invests $153 Million in Rural Community Facilities in 23 States including Delaware

Name
Damien Taylor
Phone
City
Dover
Release Date

DOVER, DE, July 16, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $153 million to build and improve critical community facilities to benefit nearly two million rural residents in 23 states.

“Rural America needs safe, modern infrastructure to help residents and businesses achieve greater prosperity and have access to essential services,” USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

USDA Rural Development State Director for Delaware/Maryland Denise Lovelady announced that USDA recently invested $175,000 through a Community Facilities Direct Loan to expand a community infrastructure in Milford, Delaware. “Essential community infrastructure is key in ensuring rural areas receive services that improve quality of life,” said State Director Lovelady. “This Rural Development investment will afford Delaware water and wastewater professionals exceptional training opportunities.”

Delaware Rural Water Association (DRWA), in Milford, DE received a $175,000 Community Facilities Direct Loan to build a needed, larger training facility. DRWA provides technical assistance and specialized training for rural water and wastewater professionals. This new training facility will enable water professionals to renew certifications, upgrade skills, and improve their quality of service to protect the health of Delaware communities. 

USDA is investing in 94 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The investments can be used to build or upgrade a wide range of rural community facilities such as schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities.

The investments that Brand announced today are being made in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB), a detailed overview of the application process.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

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