U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USDA Invests Nearly $8 Million in Public Health in Rural Louisiana

Name
RD Press
City
RICHLAND PARISH
Release Date

New Infrastructure Will Improve and Support a Growing Economy for Thousands of People in Louisiana

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced nearly $8 million in investments that will improve health care and water infrastructure in rural Louisiana.

“At Rural Development, we believe when we invest in rural communities, we are supporting the hard work that sends a ripple effect across our country,” Torres Small said. “That’s why we champion rural people by investing in critical services like wastewater infrastructure and health care facilities. These investments improve the quality of life for rural families and build the economy from the bottom up and the middle out. Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, USDA is committed to ensuring that people living in rural areas have every opportunity to succeed – and that they can find those opportunities right at home in rural America.”

Rural Development’s Louisiana State Director Deidre Deculus Robert joined Under Secretary Torres Small in the announcement, thanking the Biden-Harris Administration for their commitment to rural America and the communities in Louisiana.

“These investments in our rural hospital systems and community facilities create opportunities for growth in our towns,” Deculus Robert said. “I see it more than ever here in Louisiana. This allows for community growth and sustainability. We are delighted that Under Secretary Torres Small is visiting Louisiana to announce these strategic investments. I believe that people should be able to grow where they are planted, and these investments allow our rural communities to do just that.”

Emergency Rural Health Care Grant

Hospital Service District No. 1-A of the Parish of Richland will use a $956,076 Emergency Rural Health Care Grant to purchase medical supplies and equipment, including telehealth equipment and training. This investment will support immediate health care needs and increase access to quality health care services to improve community health outcomes for rural residents in north Louisiana communities. 

In August 2021, USDA made the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants available through the American Rescue Plan Act to help rural health care facilities, tribes, and communities expand access to health care services and nutrition assistance.  

The assistance is helping provide immediate relief to support rural hospitals, health care clinics, and local communities. USDA is administering the funds through Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program.   

USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These amenities help increase the competitiveness of rural communities in attracting and retaining businesses that provide employment and services for their residents.

Water and Waste Improvement

The Town of Rayville will use a $5 million Water and Waste Disposal loan and a $2 million Water and Waste Disposal grant to dig a new well. The elevated water storage tank will be upgraded, distributions lines will be replaced, and radio read meters will be added to help 3,695 rural customers in Richland Parish.  

USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs help rural communities obtain the technical assistance and financing necessary to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems. Sanitary waste disposal systems and clean drinking water are vital not only to public health, but also to the economic vitality of rural America. Rural Development is a leader in helping rural America improve the quality of life and increase the economic opportunities for rural people.

Under 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. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
 
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In 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.

 

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.