Projects Include Funding for Rural Health Care, Food Security and Emergency Response Services
RALEIGH, N.C., NOV. 19, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is investing $14 million to build and improve critical community facilities in North Carolina.
This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 76 thousand people in rural communities across the state.
“The Biden-Harris Administration continues to make beating the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuilding the economy a top priority,” Torres Small said. “USDA Rural Development programs are designed to put rural people at the forefront of investment and opportunity. As an advocate for the people living in America’s most rural places, USDA’s loans and grants play a critical role in ensuring rural Americans have access to emergency response resources and critical infrastructure like hospitals and medical facilities that will help them to build back better, stronger, and become more resilient.”
USDA is investing in nine projects in North Carolina through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The assistance will fund essential community services that will help keep rural America resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects will finance emergency response vehicles and equipment; build or improve hospitals and clinics; and combat food insecurity.
For example:
- The City of Boiling Springs Lakes is being awarded a $1.2 million loan to renovate an unused bank to become the city’s police department.
- Dunn Emergency Services Inc. is being awarded a $560 thousand loan and $50 thousand grant to purchase a custom rescue engine.
- The Emereau Foundation is being awarded $11 million in loans to purchase a newly constructed building and surrounding land for use as a charter school for 900 students.
- Greenevers Volunteer Fire Department Inc. is being awarded a $21 thousand grant to purchase miscellaneous firefighting equipment. The purchase will include pagers, tablets, thermal imager, positive negative pressure fans, a emergency management system automated external defibrillator with accessories, hydraulic cutter, hydraulic hose couple, hydraulic ram, hydraulic spreader, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus face mask, SCBA mask bag, turnout gear boots, turnout gear coats, turnout gear helmets, and turnout gear pants.
- Harrells Volunteer Fie Department Inc. is being awarded a $10 thousand grant to purchase miscellaneous firefighting equipment. Purchase will include light bars, chains, pry bars, firehose and turnout gear.
- The Maple Hill Volunteer Fire Department is being awarded $400 thousand in loans and grants to purchase a pumper fire truck.
- Native Opportunity Way Community Development Corporation Inc. is receiving a $33 thousand grant to renovate their community center. The facility is utilized multiple times per month by the citizens in the community to gather for public meetings, family gatherings and community events.
- Rowland Rural Fire Department, Inc. is being awarded a $16 thousand loan and $46 thousand grant to purchase firefighting equipment. The project will include hoses, fire suppressant foam, and hose rolling table.
- Wyes Fork Volunteer Fire Department Inc. is receiving a $272 thousand loan to construct a new substation.
“This investment in Rural North Carolina will benefit our citizens for years to come,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight. “The Biden-Harris Administration building a stronger infrastructure across Rural America that benefits all of its citizens regardless of their location.”
Nationwide the investments announced today will support community infrastructure projects in 44 states, Guam and Puerto Rico.
Background:
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 rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program.
Today’s investments complement the recently announced funding availability under USDA’s Emergency Rural Health Care Grants, which also is being administered through the Community Facilities program, Through this program, USDA is making up to $500 million available through the American Rescue Plan to help rural health care facilities, tribes and communities expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, health care services and nutrition assistance.
Under the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants, Recovery Grant applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are expended. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/erhc.
Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process.
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 and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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, ensuring access to 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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