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USDA Rural Development Delivers $26.1 Million Through Community Programs to Rural Nebraska

Name
Vicki Schurman
City
Lincoln
Release Date

USDA Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul announced that $26.1 million was delivered to Nebraska in federal fiscal year 2015 through its Community Programs.  The total Community Programs portfolio reflects $524 million in funding since 1996.  USDA Rural Development is currently accepting applications for fiscal year 2016 and leveraging with other financial resources greatly enhances each project’s support.

“The infrastructure of rural communities is essential and USDA Rural Development is pleased to be able to support Nebraska communities with $26.1 million in 2015,” said Moul.  “We look forward to Fiscal Year 2016 and continuing to meet the needs of rural residents.”

The Community Programs include community facilities and the water and environmental programs.  In Fiscal Year 2015 USDA Rural Development assisted nine communities through $15.2 million for new ambulances, new libraries, renovations and equipment, community centers, hospital renovations, roof and building expansions.  The communities assisted included Blair, Byron, Geneva, Hickman, Milligan, Minden, Blue Hill, Macy and Unadilla.  For water and environmental programs, 15 communities and 8,688 rural residents were helped by $10.9 million that provided safe, potable drinking water and sanitary wastewater disposal systems.

Bethany Home, Inc. received a $6.1 million loan from Minden Exchange Bank and Trust Co., backed by a USDA Rural Development Community Facility Loan Guarantee.  These funds were leveraged with $371,000 from Bethany Home, Inc. and $450,000 from the Bethany Home Foundation, Inc. In October 2015 ground was broken in Minden, Nebraska for the start of Phase I and II of Bethany Home.  Phase I will add eight assisted living units.  Phase II will combine the two Special Care Units into one 16 bed Memory Support Household.  The goal of the new area is to promote and enhance a higher quality of life for residents with Alzheimer’s/Dementia. 

The Village of Clearwater, Nebraska was awarded $2,659,000 through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program, to be leveraged by $90,000 from the village and a Community Development Block Grant of $250,000, through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.  Total project cost is $2,999,000.  The funds will be used to upgrade the existing collection system and to construct new lagoons required to meet applicable health and sanitary standards.

For more information contact the Rural Development office nearest you.  You can locate an office by visiting:  http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices/ne.

Visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs for information on all of Rural Development’s programs.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.