BOZEMAN, Mont., Nov. 19, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Montana Acting State Director Jake Ceartin today announced that USDA is investing over $205 thousand to improve infrastructure in Montana’s rural areas.
“The financial backing that USDA Rural Development Montana provides to our rural communities helps fund essential services that will help keep these areas resilient,” stated Ceartin. “We are pleased that, in Montana, through our Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program, USDA is able to make investments to improve infrastructure and help Montana’s rural areas prosper.”
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/mt.
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.
To learn more about these programs, interested parties should contact the Community Programs Director, Steve Troendle, at (406) 585-2529 or steve.troendle@usda.gov.
Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process.
In Montana, as part of today’s announcement:
- Lake County will receive a loan for $14,200 and a grant for $16,600 to provide additional financing to restructure the parking lot and improve drainage and contouring issues for the Lake County Community Development Center in Ronan, Mont. The parking lot project will result in improved safety and parking as well as improved access to storage facilities associated with Mission West's food business incubator. Mission West provides leadership, community and economic development efforts to address growth issues as they affect residents, communities, and the quality of life in Lake, Mineral and Sanders counties. They also serve The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
- Custer County will receive a $175,000 grant which will be used to add an additional 7,600 square feet to their fire hall. Construction includes expanding the current fire hall by 3,600 square feet so all fire tenders and equipment can be housed indoors in heated storage bays. An additional 4,000 square feet will be added to the structure and used to house Custer County transportation vehicles in heated storage bays. The 4,000 square foot addition will also include a shared wash bay and a conference room, which will be shared by Custer County's fire and transportation departments.
A complete list of awards and recipients may be found here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/usda_rd_nr_cf_chart.pdf (PDF, 729 KB)
USDA 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/mt.. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.