The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Friday that New Hampshire communities, families and businesses benefited from $221.5 million in USDA Rural Development (RD) grants, loans and loan guarantees in federal fiscal year 2013. The funding is outlined in the agency's annual report released today.
"USDA Rural Development's New Hampshire staff – located in Concord, Conway and Berlin – focused our 2013 investments in creating growth and opportunity in New Hampshire's rural communities," said USDA RD State Director Ted Brady. "This federal investment was made possible thanks to a strong partnership between President Obama, Secretary Vilsack, New Hampshire's congressional delegation, statewide leaders here in the Granite State and the people of New Hampshire."
The New Hampshire investment included a focus on making New Hampshire's rural communities safe and sustainable places to live. Brady noted that funding was used to bolster New Hampshire's growing farm to plate initiative, to build water and wastewater systems, to help businesses create jobs and produce renewable energy, and to build or purchase essential community facilities such as libraries, fire trucks, schools and arts venues. A detailed breakdown of these investments by county can be found online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Reports/VTNH_FY2013-NHProjectSummary.pdf
Annual Report can be found online at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Reports/VTNH_FY2013AnnualRpt.pdf
USDA RD funding was especially critical to the 2,156 families receiving rental assistance and the 1,143 families who purchased a home in a rural New Hampshire community last year using a USDA RD loan or loan guarantee.
President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $197 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural areas. For more information on Rural Development, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/nh-vtHome.html.