BANNER ELK, N.C., April 1, 2022 – USDA Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at Lees-McRae College today.
The college will use a $30 million Community Facilities Direct Loan to renovate and construct buildings on campus.
Renovations to three buildings include:
• Installation of fire suppression sprinklers.
• Making the buildings Americans with Disability Code complaint.
• Update to the buildings wiring systems to bring them to current electrical code.
A multi-purpose building is being constructed.
The first floor will feature a technology lab and meeting space. The second floor will be an open space for a variety of uses. The goal being to bring the center of student activity to historic commons in the heart of campus.
“The professors and staff at this fine college, in rural North Carolina, work hard to deliver quality education to their students,” said Speight. “The rehab of these buildings will allow local students to have up-to-date facilities to receive instruction. They are receiving an excellent education with modern amenities here in rural America.”
Background
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. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and 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.
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