(Stevens Point, Wis., March 30, 2026) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson today announced that the agency is investing in a farmer-owned food cooperative project that aims to increase minimally processed vegetables in schools and childcare centers throughout Wisconsin. Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative, a farmer-owned cooperative located in Waupaca, will use a $250,000 grant for working capital to provide packets of grab-and-go sizes of fresh broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and radishes.

(Stevens Point, Wis., March 19, 2026) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C.

Fiber-optic Infrastructure Project Saves Dozens of Jobs and Creates Even More

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega recently announced that the agency is investing nearly $21 million to ProTek Fiber through Farmers State Bank of Alto Pass. ProTek Fiber is using the funding to install 700 miles of fiber to provide direct fiber-to-the-home service for more than 10,000 households, farms, businesses, and community anchor institutions in Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Union, Williamson, and Saline counties.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Michigan State Director Dom Restuccia today announced $317,103 in home repair grants for rural Michigan residents in Crawford, Chippewa, and Lapeer counties. 

Claeys Announces $294.2 Million Invested Across West Virginia Communities

(Morgantown, W. VA., March 12, 2026) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Rural Business & Cooperative Services Administrator J.R. Claeys and West Virginia State Director John Reisenweber sat down with business and economic partners today to discuss the state’s strong economy, and potential for growth. 

(Des Moines, Iowa, March 11, 2026) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Iowa State Director Michael Sexton today participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at the worksite for Guthrie County Hospital’s expansion and renovation. Last August, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the Department would lend the hospital $37 million through the Community Facilities Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loans program to help make the project possible.

(Columbus, Ohio, March 9, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Ohio State Director Charles Tassell today presented a $345,000 check to the Village of McArthur to purchase a new mini-pumper fire truck. The Village of McArthur’s Mayor Steve Hammond and McArthur Fire Department Chief Evan Knox were on hand to accept the check on behalf of the village. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Michigan State Director Dom Restuccia has closed a $6,960,000 loan for sewer system upgrades with the Village of Vicksburg in Kalamazoo County.

A $7 Million Loan from Rural Development Will Fund Neuse Charter School Expansion

(Smithfield, N.C., March 9, 2026) — As part of its commitment to strengthening rural communities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development is investing $7 million through its Community Facilities Loan Program to expand Neuse Charter School in Smithfield, North Carolina.

Project Description: Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative (Flint Hills REC), located in Council Grove, Kansas, has been awarded a New ERA Grant through the USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS) for the construction of a 1 MW solar farm.

Area Footprint (in acres) – In total, the Project area encompasses approximately 15 acres. 
Project Submittal Date: January 2026
Project Approval Date: 3/4/2026
DOE CE Applied: B5.16