PALMER, Alaska, Dec. 11, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Julia Hnilicka announced today a new round of investments totaling $18,790,622 million to support local economic development plans and projects in Rural Partners Network (RPN) communities and other neighboring communities across Alaska.
USDA Rural Development launched RPN in April 2022 to ensure people in historically underserved rural and Tribal communities receive their fair share of funding from federal agencies. RPN is an all-of-government collaboration supported by 25 federal agencies and regional commissions.
“In Alaska, we’re investing in projects that go beyond infrastructure — they build sustainable economic growth and strengthen our rural communities,” Hnilicka said. “These investments, guided by locally identified priorities, empower Tribal and rural communities to address immediate needs while laying the foundation for long-term success.”
Since its inception, federal agencies have invested more than $35 million across 155 projects.
“This funding represents a great opportunity to invest in prioritized projects within RPN communities and across the state,” said USDA Rural Development Alaska RPN Community Program Specialist Theresa Johnson. “The communities have identified needs, and this funding will support them in developing the infrastructure that allows them to build strong foundations for economic success.”
Today USDA Rural Development is awarding more than $18 million in grants and loans to support 25 projects designed to help rural and Tribal communities address immediate needs and foster sustainable economic growth. Many of these projects result from collaboration between community networks and federal staff living and working in the communities. Additionally, projects will help communities lower costs for families, transition to clean energy, and modernize critical water and sewer infrastructure.
For example:
In southeast Alaska, a hydroelectric plant will make improvements to increase the power it generates on Prince of Wales Island. A program to strengthen biobased economic development will help sawmills and other local businesses create new jobs and opportunities around Thorne Bay.
As part of today’s announcement, USDA Rural Development is also highlighting its ongoing efforts to streamline grant programs through an initiative called Better Grants Better Service. This effort aims to reduce barriers, improve access to its programs, and enhance the grant filing application process. For more information on this critical initiative and Phase I recommendations, visit the Better Grants Better Service home page.
For more information on RPN, visit Rural.gov.
USDA 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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USDA Rural Development is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.