Investments will Benefit Rural Residents in Yavapai, Apache, Pima, Cochise, and Graham Counties
PHOENIX, Oct. 19, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Arizona State Director Jack Smith today announced that USDA is investing in eight projects in Ariz. to build and improve critical community facilities.
“Rural Arizona needs safe and modern facilities and infrastructure to help residents receive greater quality of life and access to essential services,” Smith said. ‘By partnering with rural communities and stakeholder, USDA is assisting Arizona’s rural towns and cities with funding and resources to help build sustainable, prosperous futures.”
USDA is funding the eight projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The investments can be used for purposes such as to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities.
In Yavapai County:
- ASCEND Inc. is receiving a $556,200 loan to purchase and construct an assisted living residence in Kirkland, Arizona and a $42,300 grant to purchase appliances, furnishings, and make accommodations and improvements to the newly constructed residence. ASCEND, Inc. operates a K-12 school specializing in the education of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disabilities. This five-bed assisted living facility will house those with Autism, while providing necessary care, medical treatment, and educational services.
- Adopt A Vet Inc. will use a $20,000 grant for emergency replacement of the failing septic system with sewer connection to the sewer system operated by the Town of Cottonwood. The sanitary issues present a health hazard for tenants and the ongoing pumping is costly.
- Verde Valley Sanctuary Inc. will use a $182,000 loan and a $74,500 grant for the purchase, assumption, and renovation of the Adopt A Vet Patriot House, a transitional housing facility, located in Cottonwood, Ariz. Verde Valley Sanctuary offers a safe haven for victims of family violence and sexual assault, providing a crisis hotline, shelter, community outreach, legal advocacy, education and prevention programs to victims and families in the surrounding communities. The purchase of this facility will allow Verde Valley Sanctuary to expand housing and services to meet the needs of the community.
- Camp Verde Arena Association will use a $60,000 grant to purchase and install bleacher seating for approximately 1,200 people at the Camp Verde Fairgrounds. This facility promotes the development of agriculture and education, hosting local schools and colleges, to develop career technical education through work-based training. In addition, the facility also promotes the preservation of western heritage and the agriculture history of the local community.
In Apache County:
- White Mountain Communities Hospital, Inc. will use a $944,500 loan and two grants totaling $154,500 to purchase and replace an older MRI unit with a GoldSeal HDxt 1.5T 23.0 16CH Fixed MRI unit. This unit will be housed in a prefabricated modular building that will also be purchased and connected to the hospital by an enclosed walkway. The unit will be fully refurbished which includes installation of the latest possible software release and original equipment manufacturer parts, including GoldSeal parts and labor warranty. This will allow this critical access hospital to continue to provide this medical service to the remote mountain communities in the service area.
In Pima County:
- Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. will use a $90,000 grant to construct the Amado Youth Center at the Kay Stupy Sopori Park located in Amado, Ariz. The building will be a 40 x 60 metal building with restrooms, storage rooms, and two offices. Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. currently operates limited youth activities through rented office and classroom space, and rents storage units for its supplies.
In Cochise County:
- Premier Alliances Inc. will use a $50,000 grant to install an accessible pathway, irrigation lines, greenhouses, and accessible raised garden beds throughout the 30,000 square foot garden space at the Founders Therapeutic Garden located in Bisbee, Ariz. This garden balances natural space with the accessibility of a controlled space.
In Graham County:
- The Town of Pima will use a $65,000 grant to purchase an all-terrain vehicle and equipment for the Town of Pima's Law Enforcement Department. The vehicle and equipment will be used for off road patrols and rescues.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office. 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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