Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Hilda Legg today announced a $15,500 loan to be coupled with a $46,100 grant for a total Rural Development investment of $61,600 to help improve critical community services in rural Bardwell, Kentucky.
The City of Bardwell will combine the low-interest loan with a disaster relief grant announced in January to purchase a vehicle equipped with a snow plow, dump bed and salt/ice melt spreader.
“This is a great example of combining funding sources to meet the needs of a rural city,” said Legg. “Last year alone, we helped over 20 rural Kentucky communities like Bardwell improve essential services in order to attract and retain residents and businesses because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. In fiscal year 2019, Rural Development invested over $24.9 million in Community Facilities projects across the Commonwealth of Kentucky to help communities not only improve the basic quality of life but assist in the development and sustainability of rural America.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities program funding, from radio equipment to police and fire fighting vehicles. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, and nonprofit organizations.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.