U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Eastern Ohio rural communities among 56 nationwide to benefit from USDA essential services investments

Name
Heather Hartley
City
COLUMBUS
Release Date

U.S. Department of Agriculture Ohio Rural Development State Director David L. Hall today announced three rural communities in the eastern part of the state will benefit from more than a half million dollars in USDA Community Facilities loan and grant investments. 

 
 “It’s often said that Rural Development can build a community from the ground up,” said Hall. “That’s particularly true of our Community Programs, which can help Ohio’s villages and townships maintain miles of vital secondary roads, and organizations such as the Western Holmes Fire District can protect life and limb with modern, functional equipment. This is the very heart of what we do, and we’re pleased to partner with rural communities in service to rural citizens.”    

   In Ohio:

  • The village of Hopedale will use its combined $67,000 loan and grant investment to purchase a backhoe with attachments to help with snow removal and general road maintenance. The new backhoe is replacing an older model which can no longer be serviced. 
  • Washington Township-Monroe will use its combined $134,500 loan and grant investment to finance the purchase of a tractor and boom mower to help maintain more than 25 miles of Washington Township roads in Monroe County. The new equipment is replacing an older, no longer serviceable model.
  • The Western Holmes Fire District will use its combined $335,000 loan and grant investment to purchase a fire tanker, replacing an older, no longer serviceable model. Western Holmes Fire District provides fire and emergency medical services to residents in the village of Nashville, along with those in Washington, Knox, Ripley, and parts of Monroe and Lake Townships.

   Nationwide, USDA is investing $139 million in 56 projects to improve community facilities and provide essential services for 3.3 million rural residents in 23 states. Investments are being made through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants, which offers a detailed overview of the application process.

   In addition to Ohio, investments announced today are in Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.  

   USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

   In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.

   To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).