Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today highlighted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments in Fiscal Year 2017 that will help construct or improve infrastructure and boost economic growth in rural communities.
“USDA is focused on improving rural America’s infrastructure,” Perdue said. “Investments such as the ones I’m highlighting today will improve the quality of life, create jobs, grow our economy and foster prosperity in rural areas.”
In Fiscal Year 2017, USDA used funding from the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program to invest more than $40 million in 31 projects to repair, enhance or build infrastructure. These investments were for projects such as surface transportation, aviation, ports, water and storm water resources, energy production and generation, and electricity transmission. They will benefit nearly 265,000 residents.
The investments are supporting projects in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont and
Wyoming.
Below are South Dakota infrastructure projects that Rural Development funded in FY 2017:
• City of Crooks received a $170,000 loan to purchase a pay loader with blade attachment to be used for snow removal, general street projects, park projects, sewer projects, and to be used by other departments for maintenance.
• The City of Hot Springs received $200,000, along with previously awarded funds of $1,700,000 in Fiscal Year 2016 for a total project cost of $1,900,000, to be used for road improvements in the Boulder Falls Subdivision.
• The city of Winner received $350,000 to make improvements to the street along East 8th in Winner, including drainage, asphalt, water main improvements, and sewer upgrades.
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 services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.