GRANT CITY, Mo., March 27, 2023 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Missouri Kyle Wilkens, alongside federal, state and local officials, visited the city of Grant today to celebrate the purchase of new essential infrastructure equipment for Worth County.
“As we celebrate this outstanding investment in equipment with Worth County today, we reaffirm Rural Development’s goal to expand economic development in rural Missouri,” Wilkens said. “Projects like this support the local economy to create jobs and make sustainable and safe places to raise and grow families. We will continue to build opportunities for the future growth of rural Missouri by working with our local communities and leaders.”
With a population under 2,000 people, Worth County is the smallest county in the state of Missouri by population.[1] However, at nearly 270 square miles[2] and more than 200 miles of roadway, the county requires dependable infrastructure maintenance equipment to help ensure that essential community facilities remain operable and that residents travel safely. WOCO-NFP has partnered with USDA on a $562,000 loan/grant combination to purchase a new excavator and motor grader that will replace outdated equipment that no longer meets the needs of Worth County. As a result of this partnership, Worth County will be able to reasonably lease this new equipment from WOCO-NFP to ensure county needs are met for several years to come.
Background
USDA funding for equipment highlighted in today’s ceremony was provided through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program that helps residents in rural areas build or improve essential community infrastructure and purchase or replace equipment needed for essential community services.
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. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
To learn more about Community Facilities Program funding opportunities, contact your local USDA Rural Development office. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process.
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.
Contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo, by calling (573) 876-0976, or by emailing RDMissouri@usda.gov. Stay current by following @RD_Missouri on Twitter.
USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.
If you’d like to subscribe to Missouri USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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