Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $291 million in Direct Loans to build or improve community infrastructure and essential services for 761,000 residents in 18 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
“Modern community facilities and infrastructure are key drivers of rural prosperity,” Hazlett said. “As partners to municipal, tribal and nonprofit leaders, we are investing in rural communities to ensure quality of life and economic opportunity now and for generations to come.”
USDA is investing in 41 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. The funding helps rural small towns, cities, Tribes and communities make infrastructure improvements and build and equip essential facilities such as schools, libraries, courthouses, public safety facilities, hospitals, colleges and day care centers.
In Nevada, two Direct Loans were approved:
The first, funded at $8.9 million, will allow West Wendover to acquire land and construct a fire station for emergency response. The station will store vehicles, equipment and supplies, and provide training facilities, amenities and sleeping quarters. Currently, the city is using a small leased building to house its fire response.
West Wendover was also approved for a $2.4 million Direct Loan to complete a downtown rehabilitation and extension of Pueblo Boulevard, this will be the core business sector in town. This will help create an attractive tourist destination downtown with new paving, roundabouts, signage, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping. The project is expected to help encourage additional retail and commercial development.
For more information about the Community Facility Direct Loan in Nevada, contact Community Programs Director Cheryl Couch at (775) 887-1222, Ext. 4760.