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. In New York, over $434 million was invested in rural communities for activities like homeownership, affordable rental housing, broadband, community facilities, renewable energy, water and waste infrastructure, and rural businesses.
“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.
“These investments, totaling over $434 million, mean more than just dollars going to some of New York’s most rural communities.” USDA Rural Development State Director Richard Mayfield said. “Through the hard work of our dedicated staff, valued community partners and Congressional delegation we’ll see assistance for families as they realize the dream of homeownership. We’ll see loans and grants assist rural businesses as they start up or grow. We’ll see much needed infrastructure improvements to rural water and wastewater systems. Most importantly, we’ll see the narrowing of the digital divide as broadband infrastructure reaches expanding educational opportunities as well as access to healthcare.”
Below are highlights of USDA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 accomplishments in New York:
Investing in Key Infrastructure to Strengthen Rural Communities:
- Invested $16.8 million on 7 rural broadband related projects including the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program as well as the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program.
- Invested $11.4 million in 42 essential New York community facilities projects. The Community Facilities Programs supports the construction or improvement, or planning of essential community facilities such as healthcare facilities, schools, first responders, libraries, and recovery centers.
- Invested $112 million in 62 rural New York water and wastewater systems, benefiting tens of thousands of users, and expanding access to safe drinking water and improve wastewater management systems.
Assisting with Making Homeownership Dreams a Reality, Helping with Home Repairs, Providing Affordable Rental Housing:
- Invested $204.9 million to assist 1,513 individuals or families in purchasing a home in rural New York through the Single Family Housing Programs.
- Invested $1.7 million to assist 284 New York families make essential renovations and repairs to their homes for such purposes as weatherization, accessibility, and safety through the Repair and Rehabilitation Program.
- Invested $29.1 million to provide 198 New York families or individuals with rental assistance through the Multi-Family Housing Rental Assistance Program to help them afford their monthly rent in quality affordable rental apartments.
Bolstering Rural Economic Development:
- Invested $1.6 million in 17 rural public entities in New York for projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas through the Rural Business Development Grant Program. (Included in this funding were 5 snowmobile trail groomers).
- Invested more than $21 million in 44 loan and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, and energy development assistance for rural New York businesses.
- Invested $3.9 million in 25 rural New York businesses or agricultural producers through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program, helping agricultural producers generate new value-added products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase their income.
Enhancing Customer Service
- 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.
- 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.
- 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/NY.
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