U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small and USDA Rural Development State Director for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lakeisha Hood announced today that USDA is investing $115,420 to expand access to housing and water infrastructure for underserved rural people who live and work in Florida. The three projects in which USDA is investing will create economic opportunities and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in rural America.
The investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensure that people living in rural America have equitable access to the infrastructure and economic opportunities they deserve.
“These investments are foundational to a healthy society and vibrant rural communities, Hood said. “We know that when we invest in these projects, we build opportunity and prosperity for the people who call rural communities home.”
For example:
- The City of Chipley will use a $75,000 grant to purchase equipment for the Chipley public works department. The city currently lacks adequate maintenance equipment for roads, public works and city facilities. This project and the addition of this equipment will allow for increased capabilities and enable the city to provide necessary services to its citizens.
- Holmes County Hospital Corporation in Bonifay, Florida will also use a $75,000 grant to purchase a nuclear medicine camera, ultrasound machine and security system equipment for Holmes County Hospital Corporation. The equipment will expand health care services to patients and help the hospital improve the safety of staff, patients, and visitors through enhanced monitoring.
- Gainesville, Florida-based, Rebuilding Together North Central Florida Inc., will use a $196,260 Housing Preservation Grant to assist seven very-low income homeowners in Alachua county with a variety of home repairs and improvement projects.
Background:
Torres Small highlighted $102 million in awards. These investments that USDA is making will fund 263 projects in 11 programs specifically designed to help people and communities in rural areas. These programs are Water and Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and Colonias, Appalachian Regional Commission Grants, Delta Health Care Grants, Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants, Housing Preservation Grants, Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, Tribal College Initiative Grants, Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants, Rural and Native Alaskan Village Grants, Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants and Community Facilities Disaster Grant Program.
The funding will benefit hundreds of thousands of people in 47 states and American Samoa. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development addresses economic development, infrastructure and social service needs for rural residents and communities.
These investments are in addition to the recent expansion of the Rural Partners Network (RPN), which is central to President Biden’s commitment to ensure all rural people can benefit from federal resources. Led by USDA with support from more than 20 federal agencies and commissions, RPN is part of an all-of-government strategy to champion rural people and places, including Native American communities.
Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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