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USDA Invests $2.9 Million for Essential Services in Idaho

Name
Beverly Fish
City
Boise
Release Date

State Director for Rural Development Layne Bangerter today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $2.9 million to improve community facilities and essential services for the cities of Kellogg and Pinehurst.

“Modern infrastructure and services are critical for the health, safety, and economic growth in our rural Idaho communities,” Bangerter said.  “The investment announced today demonstrates USDA Rural Development’s commitment to being a strong partner in building prosperity in Rural America through modern infrastructure.” 

Nationally USDA is investing $91 million to build or improve community facilities and essential services for nearly 300,000 rural residents in 12 states through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. The funding helps rural small towns, cities and communities make infrastructure improvements and provide essential facilities such as public schools, libraries, courthouses, public safety facilities, hospitals, colleges and day care centers. 

In Idaho, Shoshone County Fire District No. 2 will use a $2.9 million loan to construct a 12,800-square-foot emergency services facility in the city of Kellogg.  The facility will greatly enhance the safety, health and welfare of firefighters and the city’s 6,725 residents.  They will also upgrade the district’s existing facility in Pinehurst.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Applicants and projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).

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.