Trump Administration Invests $46 Million in Rural Community Facilities in 16 States
The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $46 million to improve critical community facilities to benefit 363,000 rural residents in 16 states. In Maine, the New England Music Camp, dba Snow Pond Center for the Arts, has been selected to receive a loan in the amount of $475,000.
“Rural America relies on safe, modern community facilities to ensure access to essential services such as education, health care and public safety,” USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Bette Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
USDA Rural Development Maine State Director Timothy P. Hobbs said, “This investment supports arts and culture as well as economic development in central Maine. I am pleased that under the leadership of the Trump Administration, USDA Rural Development could contribute to this valuable community project.”
In Maine, the New England Music Camp Association, dba Snow Pond Center for the Arts, has been selected to receive a Community Facilities Direct Loan in the amount of $475,000. This Rural Development investment will be used to provide funding assistance to complete necessary renovations and improvements to their outdoor amphitheater for their facility located in the Town of Sidney. The audience area of the amphitheater needs significant upgrades to safely host national touring performers and to handle audiences as large as 7,200 attendees. The work to be completed includes the installation of all the power needs on and around the stage, expansion of the concession shack, installation of ADA compliant bathrooms, and landscaping. Completing these repairs will provide notable visibility as well as substantial economic benefits to the camp and the entire region. The renovations and upgrades to the music camp will meet the needs of today and future needs for the community.
USDA is funding 44 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The investments can be used to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities. Projects are located in Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
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.
Organizations interested in Rural Development’s Community Facilities Loan and Grant Programs should contact Robert Nadeau, Community Programs Director at (207) 990-9121 or robert.nadeau@usda.gov for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB), a detailed overview of the application process.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/me.
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