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Secretary Rollins Expands Rural Small Business Opportunities with New Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program for Meat Processors with Addition of Georgia

(Washington, D.C., July 27, 2026) – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and the State of Georgia have finalized a Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) agreement, which provides an opportunity for participating state-inspected meat processors to ship their products across state lines. Under the agreement, Georgia may inspect meat products produced in participating establishments for shipment throughout the United States.

A Legacy of Vigilance: Protecting USDA Investments

Following a series of retirements and staff departures, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Georgia Program Specialist Justin Owenby inherited a case load of projects and servicing actions in 2025 for various USDA investments.

While familiarizing himself with one of these inherited projects, he noticed many duplicate invoices, which added up to nearly $300,000. These invoices drew funds from a city’s $6 million water improvement project funding that was awarded by RD.

Culver Energy Facility

Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative will construct and operate a solar photovoltaic energy generation facility with a maximum capacity of 40 megawatts (MW) and an associated battery energy storage system with a maximum 10-MW/40-MW-hour capacity. Project components would include solar photovoltaic modules mounted on fixed tilt racking system, power inverters, underground collector lines, a battery energy storage system and Project switchyard, internal access roads, and perimeter fencing.

USDA Rural Development Participates in Ribbon Cutting Event in Edenton

(Edenton, N.C., July 24, 2026) - Members of the USDA RD North Carolina Team participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony with Chowan County Schools and John A. Holmes High School today.

Rural Development invested $35 million in USDA Community Facilities Loans to assist in the construction of a new 147,000 square foot school facility that will serve approximately 600 students, grades 9-12, at John A. Holmes High School.

The new school includes:

USDA Announces $30 Million Investment in Oregon Business to Support Sawmill Expansion Project

(Portland, Ore., July 23, 2026) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Oregon State Director Jim Carmack today announced that Clatskanie Scion LLC will receive $30 million to finance a new sawmill. 

Clatskanie Scion LLC will use the funding to expand operations for Myers Woodline to manufacture industrial lumber products and bolster the region’s timber industry. This project includes construction to permanent financing for a new sawmill and installation of related equipment and is expected to create at least 35 jobs.

USDA Rural Development Celebrates Dedication of Jim Thorpe Borough Public Works Garage

 
(Harrisburg, Pa., July 23, 2026) – Yesterday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Pennsylvania State Director Chris Hoffman participated in a dedication ceremony for the Jim Thorpe Public Works Garage.
 
State Director Hoffman said, “It is truly a pleasure to be here today to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and partnership that made the Jim Thorpe Borough Public Works Garage project a reality.
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