The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing millions of dollars in Jamestown and Williston to build and purchase community facilities. These low-interest loans will save education jobs and support growing communities.
“These investments demonstrate the capability of the USDA to modernize infrastructure, save jobs, and improve the quality of life for rural residents,” Clare Carlson, USDA Rural Development state director said. “The USDA is committed to supporting the growth of rural communities and working with partners to meet the needs of our rural citizens.”
The Jamestown College Foundation will receive a low-interest $18 million loan to purchase four buildings from the University of Jamestown. The loan will help the university recapitalize its balance sheet and save enough money to preserve approximately 12 faculty and staff positions. Additional funding includes a USDA $2 million Community Facilities loan guarantee.
The 3,391 rural residents of Stutsman County will benefit from the $2.8 million loan to Jamestown Rural Fire District to renovate and expand the 11,070-square-foot fire hall. Jamestown plans to add a 7,500-square-foot building to house the response functions and meet accessibility requirements.
In Williston, the city will receive an $8.5 million loan to construct a fire station and facility support building for city's new airport. The building will support improved air service to the growing community. Additional financing for the project includes a $1.5 million loan from the First International Bank and Trust and a $2 million applicant contribution. This project will benefit the area's 25,000 residents.
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the USDA is investing $291 million to build or improve community infrastructure and essential services for 761,000 residents in 18 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
“Modern community facilities and infrastructure are key drivers of rural prosperity,” Hazlett said. “As partners to municipal, tribal and nonprofit leaders, we are investing in rural communities to ensure quality of life and economic opportunity now and for generations to come.”
USDA is investing in 41 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. The funding helps rural small towns, cities and communities make infrastructure improvements and provide essential facilities such as schools, libraries, courthouses, public safety facilities, hospitals, colleges and day care centers.
The projects announced today will help improve the quality of life in rural areas in Alaska, Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities program funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally and state-recognized Native American tribes. Applicants and projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Loan amounts have ranged from $10,000 to $165 million.
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 key 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 services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.