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Success Stories

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Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 9 Stories

Full Circle: One Veteran's Journey from Rural Development Loan Recipient to Advocate

Of the 4.6 million veterans living in rural areas, one is Rural Development of Louisiana's Area Office Director and Army veteran Larry D. Geraldson. Larry served his country for over 21 years in both active and reserve military service, including three combat tours of duty in… [Read More]
Louisiana

From Devastation to Renewal: The Journey of Mr. Joe Lewis

Inspiring Journey to Home RepairMeet Mr. Joe Lewis. Like his namesake, the former first black world heavyweight champion, Mr. Lewis, at 84 years old, is a champion in spirit. Living in Monterey, Louisiana, the unincorporated community in Concordia Parish, Mr. Lewis is one of the… [Read More]
Louisiana

DeSoto Regional Health Breaks Grounds on $50 Million Expansion with $32 million USDA Loan, Enhancing Emergency and Urgent Care for Rural Louisiana

With a $32 million Community Facilities direct loan commitment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, DeSoto Regional Health, a 70-year-old hospital in Mansfield, LA, broke ground on renovations and expansions to add a 16-bed medical/surgical unit, a 9-bed… [Read More]
Louisiana

A New Beginning: How Rural Development Made Homeownership Possible for a Louisiana Family

Inspiring Journey to Homeownership Meet Kaitlyn, a determined single mother from rural Louisiana whose dream of owning a home became a reality through the USDA Rural Development's Section 502 Direct Loan Program. Kaitlyn envisioned providing her son, Tyrin, with the comfort and… [Read More]
Louisiana

Pelican Athletic Club Enhances Energy Efficiency with USDA Rural Development Grants

Pelican Athletic Club Enhances Energy Efficiency with USDA Rural Development Grants The Pelican Athletic Club greeted and welcomed USDA Rural Development staff to their premier fitness and wellness center in Mandeville, Louisiana, to show off their new energy efficiency… [Read More]
Louisiana

Southland Steel Fabrication Inc. Expands with $25 Million USDA Loan, Boosts Local Economy and Workforce with State-of-the-Art Technology

Southland Steel Fabrication Inc. Expands with $25 Million USDA Loan, Boosts Local Economy and Workforce with State-of-the-Art Technology Founded in 1986, Southland Steel Fabricators Inc. is now one of the largest steel fabricators in the region. As a family-owned and operated… [Read More]
Louisiana

St. Helena College and Career Academy: Touchdown Loan

St. Helena College and Career Academy in rural Greensburg, Louisiana is home to the Mighty Hawks. In the small parish of 11,000, football is one of the main ways that the community comes together, and St. Helena is their only public high school. But, St. Helena's previous… [Read More]
Louisiana

Developing New Markets for Waste

In 2004, Joel and Jean Garland began operating a value added wood products business. In little more than a decade that sawmill has adapted, innovated, persisted, and advanced, all while remaining grounded in the small rural community of Lillie, Louisiana. Joel identified… [Read More]
Louisiana

USDA Agencies Striking to Make a Difference

Rural Development, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources and Conservation, USDA agencies in Louisiana, travels across the state to let rural disadvantaged communities know about the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative. This initiative is part of a… [Read More]
Louisiana