U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $86,000 toward two grants for school building repairs and upgrades and a wheelchair accessible school bus for Unified School District 380.
“Safe and accessible schools are necessary for our kids and communities to thrive,” Hinrichsen said. “Students and teachers must have the proper tools to teach and learn. Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand, USDA is dedicated to rural communities like Vermillion and their long-term commitments to economic prosperity; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”
Background:
Unified School District 380 will use two grants, one for $36,000 towards the purchase of a wheelchair accessible school bus to be used throughout the district. A second grant for $50,000 will be used to replace windows, flooring, lighting, an air conditioning/heating system and make parking lot repairs. The grants will benefit over 2,700 people throughout the district. This public infrastructure partnership is made possible by the additional contribution by the school district of $160,000.
These investments were made through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program and can be used to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities.
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 local Kansas office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants 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/ks.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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