RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 12, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight announced seven projects to improve infrastructure, housing and economic conditions for underserved rural North Carolina communities.
The investments are part of President Biden’s commitment to advance equity for all, including those who have been historically underserved, marginalized and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.
“These investments will have lasting economic and social benefits that will allow current and future generations to make a good life right at home in rural North Carolina,” said Speight. “The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are making record investments in our rural communities to ensure everyone in this country has a path to success.”
For example:
- Harnett County will use a $85 thousand USDA Housing Preservation Grant to rehabilitate eight homes owned by low and very-low-income rural citizens.
- In Henderson County, the Housing Assistance Corporation will use a $100 thousand USDA Housing Preservation Grant to rehabilitate seven homes owned by low and very-low-income rural citizens in Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania Counties.
- In Hertford County, Pear Tree Peace Community Economic Development will use a $200 thousand USDA Housing Preservation Grant to rehabilitate 10 homes owned by low- and very-low-income rural citizens in their home county.
- In Iredell County, Habitat for Humanity will use a $200 thousand USDA Housing Preservation Grant to rehabilitate 10 homes owned by low- and very-low-income rural citizens in their home county.
- In Moore County, Habitat for Humanity of the Sandhills will use a $200 thousand USDA Housing Preservation Grant to rehabilitate 25 homes owned by low- and very-low-income rural citizens in Hoke, Moore, and Richmond counties.
- In Wake County, Rebuilding Together for the Triangle will use a $200 thousand USDA Housing Preservation Grant to rehabilitate 15 homes owned low- and very-low-income rural citizens in Chatham, Orange, and Wake Counties.
- In Watauga County, WAMY Community Action Inc. will use a $100 thousand USDA Housing Preservation Grant to provide housing repairs, health and safety improvements, and energy efficiency upgrades to 30 homes owned by low and very-low-income rural citizens in Avery, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey Counties.
New Web Resources for Rural Communities
USDA Rural Development today also unveiled two new web resources that underscore the agency’s mission to ensure all people have equitable access to federal programs.
A new history webpage traces USDA Rural Development’s evolution from the Great Depression and New Deal to the present, highlighting the many ways the agency supports efforts to create prosperity in rural communities.
One of the agency’s more recent initiatives, the Rural Partners Network (RPN), has brought together a coalition of 24 federal agencies that offer programs and funding designed specifically for rural communities.
A new feature on Rural.gov makes it easier to find these federal resources in one place. The Find Programs and Opportunities tool includes hundreds of millions of dollars in financing and technical assistance opportunities that are easy to search, filter and find.
The information will help people in rural areas access funding for a variety of business, health care, housing, community and economic development needs.
Under the leadership of 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 and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the leadership of 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.
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