RALEIGH, N.C.-, April 29, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture State Director Reginald Speight announced USDA is funding six new infrastructure upgrades and clean energy projects in North Carolina rural and Tribal communities participating in the Rural Partners Network (RPN).
Most of today’s clean energy projects are made possible by President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in renewable energy since the New Deal.
Many of these projects would not have been possible without the collaboration between community networks and on-the-ground, federal government staff through RPN.
“USDA is investing $21 million in six projects to help rural communities address immediate needs and carry out long-term strategies for economic growth and stability,” said Speight. “In North Carolina rural and Tribal communities will upgrade infrastructure, expand clean energy and increase economic opportunities for millions of people in historically underserved communities.”
For example:
- In Bladen County C. Roberts Farms LLC's poultry farm will use $251 thousand Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant to improve operations. This project will save enough electricity to power six homes per year.
- In Halifax County Carolina Star Hospitality will use a $13 million USDA Business and Industry Loan to provide to purchase and construct a 96 room Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Weldon.
- In Johnston County S8 Hospitality will use a $4.7 million USDA Business and Industry Loan to finance the purchase of a two-story, 80 room, Super 8 by Wyndham franchised hotel located in Smithfield.
- In Randolph County James R. Smith will use a $75 thousand Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Grant to purchase and install insulation, service doors, attic vents and improve heaters, saving enough electricity to power one home per year.
- In Robeson County Lumbee River EMC will use a $2 million USDA Rural Economic Development Loan to assist Metcon Inc. with the construction of a 7.5 thousand square foot expansion of the headquarters building in Pembroke.
- In Robeson County Scotland Memorial Hospital will use a $742 thousand USDA Distance Learning Telemedicine Grant to equip seven sites throughout Scotland and Robeson counties in North Carolina and Marlboro County in South Carolina. This project will use telemedicine equipment and software to updated communications network to focus on patients receiving quality care for their mental health issues, chronic diseases and general issues that can be treated through telehealth visits. With telehealth services delivered to nine locations, it is expected that this project will benefit 31,270 patients.
Nationwide the funding being announced today will support RPN communities in Alaska, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.
One project also will benefit communities in South Carolina.
USDA is awarding approximately $144 million in loans and grants to support 56 projects in 9 states and Puerto Rico to help RPN communities address immediate needs and carry out long-term strategies for economic growth and stability.
Several of the projects will create jobs and expand business opportunities. Communities will use funding to modernize water and wastewater infrastructure, install clean energy technologies, rehab affordable homes and more.
Background: Rural Partners Network
Launched in April 2022 and expanded in November 2022, RPN is now active in 36 community networks in 10 states and Puerto Rico.
Community networks receive support from full-time USDA staff who live and work locally. These staff members provide technical assistance based on each community’s needs, helping them navigate federal programs, build relationships and apply for funding. In addition to USDA staff, there are staff at 24 other federal agencies supporting RPN and making resources across the government easier to access for people in rural communities.
RPN communities also benefit from coordination through other federal efforts such as the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization and President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative and Investing in America agenda. The Rural Prosperity Interagency Policy Council, co-led by the White House Domestic Policy Council and USDA, advises the RPN program and ensures rural voices are heard and reflected in national policies that will benefit all people in rural communities.
For more information on RPN, visit Rural.gov.
USDA 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the 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, 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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