The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Hilda Legg today highlighted the investments made by the department in 2020 aimed at building prosperity and strengthening the nation’s rural businesses and communities.
“The team here at Rural Development Kentucky did a phenomenal job overcoming obstacles in fiscal year 2020,” said Legg. “We helped thousands achieve the dream of homeownership and partnered with communities across the commonwealth to help improve the quality of life in rural Kentucky. We worked tirelessly to spread last-mile broadband, and we invested in businesses large and small, helping to keep thousands of well-paying jobs right here in Kentucky, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
In fiscal year 2020, Rural Development Kentucky obligated over $1.55 billion in loans and grants across all programs. Here are some highlights:
Connecting rural Kentucky to high-speed broadband
- Invested $40,100,050 to support rural broadband expansion through the ReConnect Pilot Program. In total, these investments are connecting over 8,600 households to list-mile broadband.
- Invested $1,266,986 to expand broadband through our Community Connect program. This investment helped build a 27.6 mile fiber-to-the-premises network passing 137 households and one business.
Improving rural infrastructure
- Invested over $674.1 million to upgrade or build electric infrastructure across the commonwealth benefitting over 21,000 people.
- Invested over $51.5 million to expand access to safe drinking water and improve wastewater management systems.
- Invested almost $39 million through the Community Facilities Programs in rural infrastructure projects such as roads, airports and transportation improvements. These investments also improved essential community facilities such as rural hospitals, educational institutions and public safety facilities.
Bolstering rural economic development
- Invested over $4.2 million through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program to increase the availability of renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. These investments will help increase biofuels sales by a projected 66.5 million gallons annually.
- Invested $85.3 million to assist 11 rural businesses through the Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program. Included in this total was $37.5 million provided through the CARES Act. These investments created or saved over 3,000 jobs in the commonwealth.
- Invested over $1.7 million in loans and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program for energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, and energy development assistance in rural businesses. These investments are projected to generate or save more than 6.5 million kWh of energy each year.
Improving rural quality of life
- Invested over $4 million through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. These investments will benefit over 1 million rural residents, making it easier for them to access healthcare and educational opportunities without having to travel long distances.
- Invested over $680 million in direct and guaranteed loans through the Single-Family Housing Programs to help over 4,750 low- and moderate-income families buy homes.
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.