U.S. Department of Agriculture Ohio Rural Development State Director David L. Hall was on hand today for the groundbreaking of a $20 million law enforcement complex to be built in Fayette County. The project is among four in Ohio, and 40 nationwide, that will benefit from USDA Rural Development funding.
“Financing for this critical infrastructure project is through USDA’s Community Facilities program and was approved by Fayette County voters in May,” said Hall. “Modern municipal and public safety services – including bricks-and-mortar projects such as this one – are key to promoting quality of life in rural areas. Whether it’s a $20 million complex, or smaller projects designed to help with snow removal or mowing common spaces in rural townships, USDA stands ready to help.”
In Ohio:
- Fayette County will use its $20 million loan to construct a 54,443-square-foot law enforcement complex to house administrative offices, a 911 call center and detention center. In use since the early 1900s, the existing facilities no longer meet modern law enforcement operations requirements. The expanded detention center will help alleviate overcrowding. Additionally, the new administrative offices and 911 call center will improve operational efficiency and first responder times.
- In Morgan County, Deerfield Township will use its combined $27,200 loan and $50,000 grant to purchase a truck with a snow plow and salt spreader, which will be used to maintain nearly 25 miles of township roads.
- In Tuscarawas County, Warwick Township will use its combined $73,000 loan and $47,000 grant to purchase a tractor, loader, and boom mower to help maintain more than 22 miles of township roads.
- In Monroe County, Summit Township will use its combined $36,700 loan and $44,800 grant to purchase a truck with a snow plow and salt spreader, which will be used to maintain nearly 30 miles of township roads.
Additionally, Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced USDA still has more than $2 billion available this fiscal year to invest in community facilities and infrastructure projects in rural areas. Baxley also released the names of 40 rural communities that are receiving a total of $50 million for projects that will benefit 631,000 rural residents in 17 states.
USDA is making the investments and has additional funding available through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. Interested applicants should contact their USDA Rural Development state office.
In addition to Ohio, the projects Baxley announced today are in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia. For example:
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for funding under USDA’s Community Facilities program. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally-recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or fewer.
USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks.
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).
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.