U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden Visits Ft. Valley, Georgia to Announce $49 Million New Investments in the Rural Partners Network

Name
Deborah Brumfield
Phone
City
Fort Valley
Release Date

FORT VALLEY, Ga, Aug. 15, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden today announced $49 million additional investment in  Rural Partners Network (RPN) communities. The announcement kicked off the Georgia Rural Partners Network Federal Partner Forum where more than 120 community leaders are gathered to network for building capacity for sustainable economic development in rural Georgia.

“The Biden-Harris Administration has fought to win unprecedented, once in a generation investments in rural communities, and the Rural Partners Network gets them to the people who need them most,” USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Gooden said. “These latest investments will help ensure every community here in Georgia and across this country has clean water and energy, good jobs and a prosperous future.”

The Rural Partners Network (RPN) is an all-of-government program that helps rural communities find resources and funding to create jobs, build infrastructure, and support long-term economic stability on their own terms. Georgia RPN currently is active in three Community Networks: 1) The Southwest Georgia Community Network which includes Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Seminole, Miller, Mitchell, Terrell, Thomas, Worth counties; 2) the Ben Hill County, Fitzgerald Community Network; and 3) the Emanuel County, City of Twin City Community Network.

Today’s forum helps to build collaboration, capacity and relationships by connecting the Georgia Community Network's with targeted federal and civic partners and offer Peer-to-Peer learning opportunities on topics identified by the Community Networks. Topics include housing; access to healthcare and food security services; preparing applications for federal assistance; maximizing federal resources for the local economy; community economic development, infrastructure and public safety.

Projects announced today are Rural Energy for America Program investments to three agricultural producers who are located in the Rural Partners Network. Businesses are receiving grants to transition to clean solar power and save on energy costs. Boston Gin Company in Thomas County is receiving a $262,625 grant to install solar technology that will save the cotton gin company more than $34,000 a year and provide enough energy to power 37 homes. Helical Holdings LLC in Baker County is receiving a $942,623 grant for solar technology that will save the company more than $92,000 a year and generate enough energy to power 215 homes. One family farm is receiving a $457,500 grant to buy a new replacement grain dryer that will save them more than $27,000 a year.

View the full list of investments announced today online.

2024 marks two years since the Biden-Harris Administration launched RPN to ensure people in historically underserved communities receive their fair share of funding from federal agencies. Since its launch, USDA has provided more than $1 billion to support approximately 4,700 economic development projects in RPN communities. Many of these projects would not have been possible without the collaboration between community networks and on-the-ground, federal government staff through RPN.

Background: Rural Partners Network

Launched in April 2022 and expanded in November 2022, RPN is now active in 36 community networks in Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Community networks receive support from full-time USDA staff who live and work locally. These staff members provide technical assistance based on each community’s needs, helping them navigate federal programs, build relationships and apply for funding. In addition to USDA staff, there are staff at 24 other federal agencies supporting RPN and making resources across the government easier to access for people in rural communities. Applicants of USDA programs that fall within an RPN community service area are eligible to receive priority points for funding.

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 in Georgia, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.