USDA Rural Development Delivers $44 Million Through Community Programs to Rural Nebraska

USDA Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul announces that $44 million was delivered to Nebraska in federal fiscal year 2013 through its Community Programs. The total Community Programs portfolio reflects $389.3 million in funding since 1996 and all projects are in good standing. There is funding available for Fiscal Year 2014 and applications are currently being accepted. USDA RD encourages leveraging with other financial resources to enhance the project’s support. “The infrastructure of rural communities is essential and USDA Rural Development is pleased to be able to support Nebraska communities with $44 million in 2013,” said Moul. “We look forward to Fiscal Year 2014 and continuing to meet the needs of rural residents.” The Community Programs include community facilities and the water and environmental programs. In Fiscal Year 2013 USDA Rural Development assisted communities through nearly $31.2 million for health facilities, fire halls, senior centers and emergency equipment. For water and environmental programs, 11 communities and 10,700 rural residents were helped by nearly $12.9 million that provided safe, potable drinking water and safe and sanitary wastewater disposal systems. Perkins County Health Services Agency was awarded $10.1 million under the Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. The funds, leveraged with $4 million from two local lenders and more than $1.3 million from the hospital’s own funds, will be used to expand and renovate the current hospital. The Village of Colon received a $388,000 loan and a $541,700 grant through Rural Development’s Water and Environmental program to construct new a complete retention sewer lagoon, force main and lift station, with backup power. Colon presently has a 40 plus year old activated sludge “package” type wastewater treatment plant that has reached the end of its useful life. This plant was unable to meet the current effluent discharge limits for E. coli contained in their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. For more information contact the Rural Development office nearest you. You can locate an office by visiting: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/NE-ContactUs.html. Visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne for information on all of Rural Development’s programs. For additional information on RD projects, please visit Rural Development’s new interactive web map featuring program funding and success stories for fiscal years 2009-2012. The data can be found at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RDSuccessStories.html. President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these 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. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.