WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2020 – USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand today highlighted the department’s investments in 2020 that are building prosperity and strengthening the nation’s rural businesses and communities.
“Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA invested a record $40 billion in rural communities in 2020,” Brand said. “This assistance is helping increase economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for rural residents across the 50 states and all U.S. territories.
“Rural Development has continued to serve Mississippians affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic this year. In Mississippi, we’ve obligated 4,620 applications, totaling over $783.6 million,” said John G. Campbell, State Director for Rural Development in Mississippi. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done in increasing access to high-speed internet capacity, safe water and wastewater infrastructure, and opportunities for homeownership. We’ve also continued to help communities make improvements to essential community facilities, and provided assistance to small businesses in rural areas, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Below is a summary of USDA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 accomplishments in Mississippi:
Connecting Rural America to High-Speed Broadband
- Invested $37 million to support rural broadband expansion and improve Telecom Infrastructure.
Improving Rural Infrastructure
- Invested $44.2 million to upgrade or build electric infrastructure.
- Invested $50.8 million to expand access to safe drinking water and improve wastewater management systems. These investments will improve the reliability of local water supply for Mississippians across the state.
Bolstering Rural Economic Development
- Invested $22.3 million to assist rural businesses through the Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee Program, $1 million through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program to spur job creation in rural areas.
- Invested nearly $1 million in loans and grants to energy projects such as the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, and energy development assistance in rural businesses to reduce energy costs for our small businesses and agricultural producers.
Improving Rural Quality of Life
- Invested $10.9 million through the Community Facilities Programs in rural infrastructure projects such as equipment for first responders, roads, and transportation improvements.
- Invested $532 million in direct and guaranteed loans through the Single Family Housing Programs to help thousands of Mississippians achieve their dream of homeownership and help make repairs on existing homes. Additionally, over $53 million was approved for rental assistance.
Enhancing Customer Service
- Cut red tape to increase private investment in rural America by making it easier for lenders to access four flagship loan programs under the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative.
- Took immediate actions to assist rural residents, businesses and communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, USDA launched a Federal Rural Resource Guide, provided loan forbearances, halted evictions, and made additional funding available under existing programs. For more information, visit our COVID-19 response page.
- Streamlined regulations to ease customer access to CARES Act programs, infrastructure improvements, business development, housing, community facilities and high-speed internet access in rural areas.
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, call our State Office at (601) 965-4316 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ms.
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