ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 15, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Brad Finstad today announced that USDA is investing $83,600 for essential equipment for Fond du Lac Band.
“Modern infrastructure is just one of many essential elements to the prosperity of any community” Finstad said. “Whether it’s purchasing a new maintenance vehicle or installing new kitchen equipment, all these things contribute to the economic prosperity of rural America. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is dedicated to assisting tribal communities like Fond du Lac with their long-term commitments to economic prosperity; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”
The Fond du Lac Band will use a $53,600 Community Facilities Grant to purchase a new loader vehicle for the Public Works Department to manage roads and public building lots during winter weather.
The Fond du Lac Band will also use a $30,000 Community Facilities Grant to purchase a farm maintenance vehicle and related equipment. The tribe recent acquire a 36-acre farm that will be used to create a tribal agriculture department, grow a variety of crops, and hold demonstration programs and classes on-site. This project will allow the tribe to purchase a vehicle necessary to manage the farm, including: hauling the existing trailer and farm equipment; hauling produce to farmers’ markets; transporting maintenance equipment; and moving dirt and ash for gardens, high tunnels and greenhouses both on and off the property.
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 eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. For more information, interested parties should contact their local area office.
USDA has invested more than $12 million in Minnesota’s Tribal communities since 2017. To learn more about USDA’s partnerships with Tribal communities across the nation, please view the Collaborating for Prosperity with American Indians and Alaska Natives Report.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
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/mn.
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