Funding will Help Provide Rural Health Care, Emergency Response Services and Long-Term Disaster Recovery
WASHINGTON, June 23, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today announced that USDA is investing $185 million to equip, rebuild, and modernize essential services in rural areas of 32 states, including one project in Washington State The investments will benefit 3 million rural residents.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has made investing in infrastructure improvements a priority,” Maxson said. “These loans and grants will help rural communities invest in facilities and services that are vital to all communities, such as schools, libraries, hospitals and health clinics. They also will help rural communities continue to beat the COVID-19 pandemic as America builds back better and stronger.”
Background:
USDA is investing in 233 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Of these, 74 awards, totaling $4 million, will help communities with their long-term recovery efforts following natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and tornadoes.
The Department is making investments in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
In Washington State, the Darrington Food Bank Foundation will us a $71,500 grant to purchase a new 14-foot refrigerated box truck to replace their current vehicle. The foundation drives about 1,500 miles monthly, picking up items to stock and make available in their food bank. There service area includes the Town of Darrington, northeaster Snohomish and southwestern Skagit counties, including tribal members of the Sauk-Suiattle, Tulalip, and Lummi Tribes.
"Community Facilities Program fund essential public places and services like hospitals, police and fire equipment, senior facilities, libraries and more," said Trudy Teter, Acting State Director for USDA Rural Development in Washington State. "Providing funding tof these essential facilities hits at the core of our mandate to improve the quality of life for rural residents."
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.
To learn more about Community Facilities Program funding opportunities, contact a USDA Rural Development state office. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process.