USDA Rural Development State Director Douglas Wilson today highlighted the department’s investments in 2020 that are building prosperity and strengthening the nation’s rural businesses and communities in Illinois.
“Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, USDA invested over $648 million in rural Illinois communities in 2020,” Wilson said. “This assistance is bridging the gap between rural communities and urban centers by investing in economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for rural residents across Illinois. Wilson added, “Our staff will continue to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, work diligently, and provide the best possible customer solutions to proactive tasks in 2021. I have every confidence that the people who make up Illinois USDA Rural Development will continue to be a significant part of improving rural Illinois.”
Below is a summary of USDA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 accomplishments:
Connecting Rural America to High-Speed Broadband
- Invested $105 million to support rural broadband expansion through the ReConnect Pilot Program. With 74% provided through the High-Speed Broadband in Telecom Infrastructure and Community Connect programs. In total, these investments are connecting rural households, farms, and businesses to high-speed internet.
Improving Rural Infrastructure
- Invested $72 million to expand access to safe drinking water and improve wastewater management systems. These investments will improve the reliability of local water supply for rural Illinoisans.
- Invested $324,000 through the Community Facilities Programs in rural infrastructure projects such as roads, airports and transportation improvements.
- Invested $7 million 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 across Illinois.
Bolstering Rural Economic Development
- Invested $5 million through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to increase the availability of renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. These investments will help increase biofuels sales by a projected 19.6 million gallons annually.
- Invested $62 Million to assist 13 rural businesses through the Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee Program. Included in this total was $8.5 million provided through the CARES Act. These investments created or saved nearly 628 jobs.
- Invested more than $1.1 million in 85 loan and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, and energy development assistance in rural businesses. These investments are projected to generate or save more than 7.8 million kWh.
Improving Rural Quality of Life
- Invested $4.1 million through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program in 6 distance learning and telemedicine projects. These investments will benefit thousands of rural residents, making it easier for them to access healthcare and educational opportunities without having to travel long distances.
- Invested over $300 million in direct and guaranteed loans through the Single Family Housing Programs to help low- and moderate-income families buy homes.
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.
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.