USDA Ohio Rural Development State Director David L. Hall today announced that six Appalachian Ohio communities are among nearly 40 nationwide receiving funds to improve critical community facilities.
“Whether in support of our first responders, community-based healthcare, or township-level road maintenance, all rural infrastructure projects are vital to improving quality of life for Ohio’s rural residents,” said Hall. “Because so many of our employees live and work in the same communities we serve, we understand the interdependence of Ohio’s small town governments. Especially now, in this time of change and uncertainty, we stand ready to support you.”
USDA is funding the projects through its Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The investments can be used for purposes such as to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities. In Ohio:
- The City of Nelsonville (Athens County) will use its combined $91,000 loan and grant to purchase two new police cruisers, buffering the city’s fleet of four functional cruisers.
- Located in Barnesville (Belmont County), Ohio Hills Health Services will use its $117,000 loan to purchase dental equipment necessary for the relocation and expansion of the Barnesville Family Dental Center. Open less than a year, the dental clinic already has assisted more than 2,000 low-income patients, and demand exceeds the clinic’s current capacity. A companion $100,000 Community Facilities Disaster Grant also will be used to help offset equipment purchases.
- The Village of Salineville (Columbiana County) will use its $15,000 loan to finance the purchase of a four-wheel-drive law enforcement truck, necessary to reach off-road locations in this community located near the borders of West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.
- West Township (Columbiana County) will use its combined $117,000 loan and grant to finance the purchase of a tractor and related equipment to maintain more than 65 miles of rural roads.
- Green Township (Harrison County) will use its $189,000 loan to purchase a road grader and backhoe to help maintain nearly 40 miles of rural Appalachian roads. Funding for this project also includes a $100,000 Community Facilities Disaster Grant.
- Noble Township (Noble County) will use its $45,500 loan to finance the purchase of a truck with snowplow and salt spreader attachments, which will help the township maintain more than 40 miles of rural Appalachian roads. Funding for this project includes a $24,500 Community Facilities Disaster Grant.
In addition to Ohio, projects announced are located in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB), a detailed overview of the application process.
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. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. 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.
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