Biden-Harris Administration Invests $981 Million to Expand Market Opportunities for Rural Businesses and Entrepreneurs in 47 States: More than $36.5 Million in Texas

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the department is investing $981 million to help create new and better market opportunities and expand essential services for rural people, businesses, and entrepreneurs in 47 states, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

“Rural people provide the everyday essentials our country depends on,” Vilsack said. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is dedicated to helping people through job creation and expansion of entrepreneurial opportunities in the rural places they live. The partnerships we’re announcing today demonstrate USDA’s commitment to advocating for rural business owners and building brighter futures for everyone in rural America.”

The funding will help keep resources and wealth made by rural people right at home through affordable financing and technical assistance. It will help rural Americans start businesses and allow small business owners to grow. It will also open the door to new economic opportunities for communities and people who historically have lacked access to critical resources and financing.

For example, in Texas, Clarksville General Hospital LLC was awarded, $12,000,000. This Rural Development investment will be used to provide financing, interest reserve construction contingency, and working capital to Clarksville General Hospital LLC. The company will construct a new hospital on 14 acres, known as Clarksville General Hospital, in Clarksville, Texas. The investment includes the construction of a 14-bed hospital, furniture, fixtures, and equipment. This project will create jobs and improve the overall economic health of the local rural community.

In Harris County, Nexteel Saha Thai LLC was awarded $22,000,000. This Rural Development investment was used to help Nexteel Saha Thai LLC construct three buildings to be used as oil industry tubular goods mill manufacturing facility. The facility is located on an 80-acre commercial property, in Crosby, Harris County, Texas. These funds will be used for the construction of the buildings, installation costs, purchase of additional equipment, and working capital funds. This project will help Nexteel Saha Thai LLC create 50 jobs.

In Hayes County, Kishan 1996 Enterprises LLC was awarded $2,545,860. This Rural Development investment will be used to provide additional financing to Kishan 2996 Enterprises LLC to upgrade and expand their facility, a 50-room hotel, known as Quality Inn and Suites, in Buda, Hays County, Texas. Project funds will be used for furniture and equipment, improvements, and capital provisions. This project will help Kishan 1996 Enterprises LLC save five jobs.  

USDA is making 242 awards through eight programs specifically designed to create economic opportunities for people and businesses in rural areas. These programs are the Biofuel Producer Relief Payments Program, Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program, the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grants program, the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program and the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees.

The awards are being made in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean-energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements, business development, housing, community facilities such as schools, public safety, healthcare, and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.