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USDA Invests $871,259 in Grants to Pennsylvania Organizations Focused on Equity Projects

Name
Daniel Blottenberger
Phone
City
Harrisburg
Release Date

$86 Million Invested Nationally to Improve Equitable Access to Jobs, Business Opportunities, Education, Health Care and Housing for Rural People

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Department is investing $86 million to improve equitable access to jobs, business opportunities, education, housing and health care for people who live and work in rural areas. The investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensure that people living in rural communities have equitable access to the infrastructure and opportunities often taken for granted by people living in urban and suburban areas. 

“Regardless of where they live, their race, ethnicity or gender, or the size of the town in which they live, all people must have access to decent housing, clean water and good job opportunities,” Vilsack said. “This is foundational to a healthy society and stable communities. Today’s announcements build on the historic investments made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law by President Biden to ensure equity during a time when people living in underserved places are suffering the most. These investments will go a long way toward helping America ‘Build Back Better’ toward a just and more equitable society.”

These investments will help more than 425,000 people in some of the nation’s most disadvantaged areas. 

In Pennsylvania, five organizations received awards from the Rural Community Development Initiative, Housing Preservation Grants and Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant programs. USDA Rural Development in Pennsylvania State Director Bob Morgan was glad to see the grant funds getting into the hands of organizations in Pennsylvania that have proven their value. 

“When it comes to ensuring equity in rural Pennsylvania these organizations have a proven track record,” Morgan said. “I am pleased we are able to make a difference by continuing to expand opportunities in rural Pennsylvania.”

For example, the Keystone Development Center in Lancaster, Pa., is receiving a $173,288 Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant to provide business development technical assistance. It will support women who own agricultural cooperatives that grow flowers and various types of fibers. The project is expected to help 25 women farmers in three counties in Pennsylvania and five counties in New Jersey.

In addition, RCAP Solutions Inc. received a Rural Community Development Initiative grant of $250,000. Three Housing Preservation Grants were awarded to the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Monroe, The Housing Authority of the County of Butler and United Way of Western Crawford County. These three grants totaled $447,971.

You can read the national USDA announcement on these investments here.


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