LAS VEGAS, Nev., Oct. 30, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD) Nevada State Director Lucas Ingvoldstad, Alaska State Director Julia Hnilicka, and Idaho State Director Richard Rush visited Las Vegas to participate in the 81st National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Annual Convention and Marketplace. USDA RD’s Tribal Relations Team presented an overview of RD programs at NCAI for Tribes, Tribal Corporations, Tribal Utilities, Tribal Non-Profits, and Tribal Citizens.
Other USDA leadership in attendance included USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux and USDA Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Rudy Soto. Administrator Ducheneaux delivered NCAI’s keynote address.
USDA State Directors Ingvoldstad and Hnilicka also visited Fisher Space Pen Company, who received a $196,059 grant through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to install new energy efficient roofing and cooling devices to lower energy costs and operate more sustainably. USDA’s REAP investment in Fisher Space Pen Company will support the purchase an addition of a roof membrane, additional insulation, evaporative cooler replacements that are energy and water efficient. The small business will save $13,000 in energy costs per year.
“USDA Rural Development is committed to ensuring rural prosperity in Southern Nevada,” said State Director Ingvoldstad. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, we’ve invested over $192.1 million in federal funding to ensure that rural communities in Southern Nevada have thriving local economies, sustainable power, and safe, affordable housing. We’re proud to meet and share opportunities with local partners, recipients, and organizations to celebrate USDA’s achievements in the Silver State.”
USDA Rural Development’s Tribal Relations Team delivered a presentation at NCAI focused on the agency’s organizational structure, types and cycles of funding, and highlighted RD programs including the Rural Business Development Grant Program, Rural Energy for America Program, and Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grant Program.
USDA leadership also visited the Governor's Conference on Tourism in Las Vegas.
USDA 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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