Wyoming saw over $274 million in obligations made in FY-2020
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 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.”
“I am proud of what we accomplished in Wyoming this year,” said State Director Wally Wolski. “Our investments reached every corner of the state and have supported economic growth and prosperous communities.”
Below is a summary of USDA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 accomplishments in Wyoming:
Connecting Rural America to High-Speed Broadband
- Invested $10.7 million to support rural broadband expansion through the ReConnect Pilot Program. In total, these investments are connecting approximately 65 Wyoming households to high-speed internet.
Improving Rural Infrastructure
- Invested $14.5 million to expand access to safe drinking water and improve wastewater management systems.
- Invested $20.2 million through the Community Facilities Programs in rural infrastructure projects such as roads, airports and transportation improvements.
Bolstering Rural Economic Development
- Invested $11.8 million to assist nine rural businesses through the Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee Program.
- Invested $226,489 in 8 grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, and energy development assistance in rural businesses.
Improving Rural Quality of Life
- Invested $20.2 million in loans and grants through the Community Facilities Programs that funded the construction or modernization essential community facilities such as rural hospitals, educational institutions and public safety facilities.
- Invested $210.5 million in direct and guaranteed loans through the Single Family Housing Programs to help 1,081 low- and moderate-income families buy homes in rural Wyoming communities.
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/wy.
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.