USDA Rural Development is celebrating the expansion of the East Berlin Community Library with a groundbreaking. The library will undergo renovations and expansion to better serve the residents of the East Berlin area. Rural Development provided financing for the project with two $500,000 long term, low interest community facilities loans for a total funding of $1 million.
The plans for the new library include expanding the total area of the library to approximately 7,000 square feet, with additional parking spaces outside the building. Other uses of the funding include a children’s room, an adult study/program room, additional staff office space, and more computer terminals for public use. The entire facility will also be renovated to meet ADA compliance codes. These additions and renovations will allow the East Berlin Community Library and its staff to provide 21st Century assistance to the patrons who utilize the facility.
In Pennsylvania last year, the USDA Community Facility program assisted 29 rural communities with loans and grants totaling more than $103 million dollars. These programs have helped small communities build schools, university residence halls, firehouses, and municipal buildings. The loans and grants also provide low cost ways for communities to acquire police and fire vehicles, emergency and utility equipment, and other critical infrastructure.
President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.