U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Trump Administration Invests $153 Million in Rural Community Facilities in 23 States - Two projects in Colorado

Name
Amy Mund
Phone
City
Denver
Release Date

USDA Rural Development Colorado State Director Sallie Clark announced that USDA is investing nearly $5 million in two projects to build and improve critical infrastructure in the Colorado.  “Rural Development is committed to providing rural areas the same basic quality of life and services enjoyed by those in urban areas.   The projects for funded in Colorado by Rural Development will assist our rural communities by improving and building upon essential services for education and healthcare in our state,” said Clark. 

Pagosa Peak Building Corporation in Archuleta County is receiving a $2.9 million loan to secure a permanent location for the school through the purchase of their existing building. The school started three years ago as a tuition-free K-4 school, located in the Parelli Building in the Aspen Village "live-work-play" community. Currently, the school is adding an additional grade level each year, to become a K-8 school. The school is open to all Archuleta County families and operates year-round to better accommodate their focus on outdoor education and gardening/horticulture.

Trinidad Area Health Association in Las Animas County is receiving a $1.9 million loan/grant combination to assist with the renovation and expansion of the construction of the Mt. San Raphael Hospital in Trinidad, CO.  The project includes the construction of a 14-bed medical/surgical unit, a new emergency department with 10 treatment spaces, new central utilities plant and the purchase of monitoring equipment for the Emergency Department.  USDA Rural Development previously awarded the entity $32.7 million in funding for the project.

This announcement is part of a larger statement from USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand who announced that USDA is investing $153 million to build and improve critical community facilities to benefit nearly two million rural residents in 23 states, including in Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming. USDA is funding 94 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The investments can be used to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

Interested parties in Colorado should contact the Colorado State Office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB), a detailed overview of the application process.

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/co.