U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development California State Director Kim Dolbow Vann today highlighted a $2,998,500 loan to Ukiah-based Redwood Community Services, Inc. (RCS) to purchase a building that will increase efficiencies and expand services for the agency.
RCS is a family services agency that offers several programs including foster care, behavioral health and more in Mendocino, Lake and Sonoma counties.
“Redwood Community Services not only provides important services to this three-county region, but they are also a large employer in the area,” said Vann. “USDA’s programs are here to assist facilities like this with necessary resources, so they may continue to support the most vulnerable in our rural communities.”
RCS will use the loan to purchase an 18,000 square foot building in Ukiah. They will condense their administrative services, mental health and outpatient services, and foster/family adoption and placement services from three separate locations in Ukiah into this building. The consolidation will allow RCS to save costs, improve program delivery and expand their workforce training program and substance use disorder treatment center.
Funding for this project is provided through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. More than 100 types of projects are eligible for funding, and applications are accepted year-round. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations as well as municipalities, public bodies and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
Nationally, USDA Rural Development announced today $68 million for 20 projects benefitting nearly 715,000 rural residents in 13 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
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.