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.
Brand added, “USDA responded with urgency to help those affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic. We worked to bring high-speed internet capacity, modern community facilities, and upgraded water and wastewater infrastructure to rural areas. We helped provide homeownership opportunities and reliable electricity. We invested in businesses and family-supporting jobs, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
According to Hawaii/Western Pacific State Director Brenda Iokepa-Moses, our commitment to rural communities throughout Hawaii and Western Pacific has exceeded our expectations. “The success USDA Rural Development had during this challenging year is a great reflection on both the Trump Administrations support of our rural communities as well the resilience of our communities.”
Below is a summary of USDA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 accomplishments for Hawaii and Western Pacific:
Improving Rural Infrastructure
- Invested $2,953,061 in loans and grants through the Community Facilities Programs that funded the construction or modernization of essential community facilities such as rural hospitals, educational institutions and public safety facilities. These investments will benefit rural residents in Hawaii and the Western Pacific
- Invested $234,216,896 in direct and guaranteed loans through the Single Family Housing, Farm Labor Housing, and Rental Assistance Programs to help low-and moderate-income families buy, build or repair homes in Hawaii and Western Pacific.
- Invested $1,237,856 in Business Programs including Renewable Energy, Business Grants, and Value-Added Producer Grants in Hawaii and Western Pacific.
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, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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