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USDA Rural Development invests in Underserved Rural and Tribal Communities to Create Economic and Educational Opportunities.

Name
Philip Eggman
Email
philip.eggman@usda.gov
Phone
360-470-9900
City
Olympia
Release Date

Olympia, Dec. 13, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Washington State Director Helen Price Johnson today announced $690,000 in grant awards designed to help improve infrastructure, housing, and educational opportunities will be awarded to underserved and Tribal communities in rural Washington. 

 “People everywhere, regardless of where they live, deserve access to clean water, quality housing and good schools,” she said. “The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are making record investments in our rural communities to ensure everyone in this country has a path to success.”

Director Price Johnson said these grant awards in Washington were part of a broader $81 million USDA investment in 208 projects across 42 states and two U.S. territories – Puerto Rico and the Marshall Islands/Micronesia.

Washington’s investments came by way of USDA Rural Development's Tribal College Initiative Grant and Housing Preservation Grant programs. Recipients included:

  • The Northwest Indian College (NWIC) will receive a $318,980 Tribal College Initiative Grant to purchase equipment for campus maintenance. Plus, vehicle charging stations will be installed at the parking area of a new building under construction on campus.
  • South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity, based out of Olympia, will receive a $100,000 Housing Preservation Grant to be used for rehabilitation and repairs to low-income households in Thurston County.
  •  HopeSource, which has four locations in Eastern Washington, will receive an identical grant for 20 rural households in Kittitas County. HopeSource is a private, non-profit organization that has provided a wide range of human services in Kittitas County since 1966. Their service area stretches from the east side of Snoqualmie Pass to the Columbia River.

USDA Rural Development provides loans, grants, and loan guarantees to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural and Tribal areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements, business development, housing, community facilities and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal areas. To learn more about investment resources for rural Washington, call (360) 704-7700 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/WA