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USDA announces funding to support transportation for adults with disabilities

Name
Nikki Gillespie
City
ST. PAUL
Release Date

USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer today announced funding for the purchase of a new disabled-accessible bus for the Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC).

   “USDA strives to help rural communities provide disabled populations with opportunities with affordable and accessible resources for housing, employment, healthcare and assisted daily care in rural America,” said Landkamer. “The commitment to this population is important to recognize and USDA was happy to partner with Hubbard County DAV on this important investment.”

   The Hubbard County DAC provides quality day training and habilitation services for adults with developmental disabilities and vocational services for adults with persistent mental illnesses at four locations in Park Rapids, Minn.

   The original DAC operates as a workshop while the Bearly Used Thrift Store, Tin Ceiling, and DAC Salvage Depot operate as used goods retailers providing jobs for program participants of the DAC and revenue for its programs.  Additionally, the DAC also manages the Hubbard County Recycling Center for the county as part of an integrated work program.

   An essential component to the success of DAC programming is providing transportation for DAC participants to get to and from work and other appointments throughout the day. They currently have three vehicles that provide daily transportation. Purchased in 2002, one of the disabled-accessible buses has traveled over 177,000 miles and has reached the end of its useful life, with extensive metal corrosion and rusting on the wheel lift platform.

   Today’s funding will go towards the purchase of a new, energy efficient bus that will not only ensure the continued safety of DAC program participants, but will also be economically feasible for the DAC and more environmentally conscious.

   USDA funding comes in the form of a $82,500 direct loan Rural Development’s Community Facilities program. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested over $431 million in loans and grants to build or improve over 350 essential community facilities throughout rural Minnesota.

   Rural Development also invests in housing, water and wastewater treatment, businesses, renewable energy and high-speed Internet. To learn more about Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn, or call the area office in Detroit Lakes, Minn. at (218) 847-9392, ext. 4.