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USDA Invests in Community Infrastructure in Coffeyville, Kansas

Name
Nikki Gillespie
City
Coffeyville, Kansas
Release Date

   TOPEKA, Kan., June 23, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $8,300 for essential community development in the city of Coffeyville.

   "Modern, safe infrastructure is the bedrock of any community," Hinrichsen said. "This project is unique in that it's repurposing vacant infrastructure into something that the local community can use for years to come. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is dedicated to our partnerships with community organizations and their long-term commitments to economic prosperity; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers."

   The Coffeyville Area Community Foundation, a nonprofit serving the local community since 2001, will use an $8,300 Community Facilities Grant to develop some vacant lots of land into a community garden and orchard. These sites require small infrastructure improvements to make the project viable. This project will help purchase equipment to maintain proper levels of water and soil and provide security fencing around each property.

   Funding for today’s announcement was made available through the $150 million in grants included in the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act that President Trump signed into law on June 6, 2019. These grants are to help eligible rural communities continue their recovery from the devastating effects of natural disasters.

   View the complete list of designated communities in Kansas.

   Grants may be used for relief in areas affected by Hurricanes Michael and Florence; wildfires in 2018; and other natural disasters where the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided a notice declaring a Major Disaster Declaration and assigned a FEMA disaster recovery (DR) number. Please check the FEMA website for regular updates and names of additional communities that may be added.

   Grant applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are exhausted. Contact your local Area Office for further information or assistance with the application process. Grant assistance will be provided on a graduated scale; smaller communities with the lowest median household income are eligible for a higher proportion of grant funds. For application details and additional information, see page 47477 of the Sept. 10 Federal Register.

   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 eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

   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 cornerstone 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/ks.

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