COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 23, 2022 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken today announced a $200,000 investment in Athens County to purchase a new force feed loader for county maintenance needs. USDA is providing the funding through the Community Facilities Loan and Grant program.
“By utilizing the community facilities programs, projects like this provide rural communities with modern and reliable equipment that is vital to ensuring rural prosperity in Ohio,” said McCracken. “USDA is working tirelessly to help build stronger and healthier communities across our state. We know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Recipients can use Community Facility funding for projects to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses. Examples of essential community facilities include health care facilities, public facilities, educational services, local food systems and more.
Athens County will use a $200,000 loan to purchase a force feed loader to modernize maintenance and public safety equipment. The force feed loader can be used to load large amounts of asphalt millings, soil, snow, compost, debris, and other materials to maintain public roadways and facilities. The existing equipment has reached the end of its useful life.
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 eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.