Trump Administration Invests $153 Million in Rural Community Facilities in 23 States
Infrastructure Improvements to Benefit Nearly Two Million Rural Americans
Harrisburg, PA., July 15, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $153 million to build and improve critical community facilities to benefit nearly two million rural residents in 23 states.
“Rural America needs safe, modern infrastructure to help residents and businesses achieve greater prosperity and have access to essential services,” Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Bette Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
State Director Curt Coccodrilli today announced that Pennsylvania is investing over $700,000 through the Community Facility Direct Loan and Grant Program. “Community Facility Direct Loan and Grant Programs continues to play a vital role in supporting the communities of rural Pennsylvania. Our staff continues to provide excellent customer service across Pennsylvania so these communities can stay up and running and operate at full capacity to serve their community.”
Background:
Pennsylvania USDA Rural Development is funding 6 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. For example:
Borough of Houtzdale will receive $39,000 in loan and $31,400 in grant to purchase a dump and plow truck.
Renovo Borough will receive $13,300 in loan and $46,200 in grant to purchase a four-wheel drive police vehicle. The air conditioning system for the borough building will also be replaced, increasing energy efficiency.
Falls Creek Borough will receive $38,800 in loan and $47,300 in grant to purchase and uplift a plow truck. Funds will also be used to install a new furnace and insulated garage doors. The truck the borough owns has exceeded its useful life and has become costly to repair. The new furnace and garage doors will allow the borough to store its equipment inside, the exciting garage cannot be used due to its poor condition.
Chapman Township will receive $20,000 in loan and $50,000 in grant to purchase a truck with plow. The township currently has only one reliable plow truck that maintains extreme mountainous roads during the winter. The new vehicle will maximize time and make the township’s roads much safer.
City of Warren will receive $42,000 in loan and $51,300 in grant to purchase two properly outfitted 2020 vehicles for use by the police department.
Lander Volunteer Fire Department will receive $240,000 in loan and $100,000 in grant to acquire a fire hall and make renovations to the building. The building is larger and will allow Lander Volunteer Fire Department to hold larger fundraisers and store their equipment inside a garage.
The investments that Brand announced today are being made 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.
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 should contact their USDA Rural Development 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.
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