Rural Development’s $499 Thousand Grant Investment is Estimated to Benefit
22 Thousand Rural Residents
MURPHY, N.C., January 18, 2023 – North Carolina State Director Reginald Speight, Georgia State Director Reggie Taylor and Tennessee State Director Arlisa Armstrong announced a USDA Distance Learning Telemedicine Grant with North Carolina Cherokee County Schools today.
Rural Development invested $499 thousand through a USDA Distance Learning Telemedicine Grant to equip eight Cherokee County High Schools with systems allowing medical professionals, therapists, and counselors the ability to provide students and their families mental health support and counseling.
The equipment purchased with this grant will be used in 17 sites across rural North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.
“The investment into the Cherokee County North Carolina school system will benefit rural citizens in three states,” said Speight. “Today is unique. Mental health has no borders, and this investment will assist rural communities in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee address some medical needs without the burden of possibly having to drive 100 miles for care. The Biden-Harris is proud to be part of this distinctive opportunity.”
This investment will potentially benefit 22,875 rural citizens.
Background
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, Tribal and high-poverty 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.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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