U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development California State Director Kim Dolbow Vann highlighted today a new partnership with Plumas Alternative Learning Services in Plumas County to build a new facility for the Quincy-based charter school.
“This project is a great example of USDA’s commitment to improve the foundations of our rural communities,” said Vann. “Through this partnership, Plumas Charter School will have a modern, centralized home where they can continue to offer students a quality education.”
USDA Rural Development is assisting Plumas Alternative Learning Services, known as Plumas Charter School, with a $2.4 million loan to construct a new school. In operation since 1998, the charter school leased space from the local school district until it became unavailable earlier this year. As a result, Plumas Charter School had to spread out into three different leased locations creating inefficiencies. This loan will be used to construct a consolidated school site of more than 14,000 square feet of space for classrooms, multi-purpose spaces and administrative offices.
USDA is making the investments through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. Earlier this week the department announced a complete investment of $181 million in 88 projects across the nation.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally and state-recognized Native American tribes. Applicants and projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
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/ca or follow on Twitter, @CaliforniaRD.