NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 19, 2021 - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is investing $222 million to build and improve critical community facilities in 44 states, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities. Tennessee Rural Development Acting State Director Dan Beasley is pleased to announce more than $30 million to support city improvements, food security, and emergency response services for more than 92,000 rural residents in nine counties.
“We are committed to partnering with rural communities to help rebuild the economy and improve community infrastructure,” Beasley said. “It is imperative that communities have the essential services they need to ensure the safety and enrichment of its citizens.”
USDA is investing in 536 projects 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.
In Tennessee:
- The city of Milan will use a $2.4 million loan and $336,400 grant to construct a Farmer's Market in downtown Milan, add sidewalks from downtown to a proposed multimodal trail that will connect the downtown area to the City Park and street resurfacing that is desperately needed in select areas.
- The town of Rutherford will use a $247,000 loan and $100,000 grant to resurface city streets in the town of Rutherford. These streets include South Trenton Highway, South Front Street, Fain Street, Heritage Drive and Standard Street. The streets are in desperate need of repair and the improvements will serve all residents within the city limits of Rutherford.
- The city of Union City will use a $175,000 grant to purchase emergency response equipment for the city. The new equipment will be used to upgrade and replace the old, unreliable equipment. The purchases will include new patrol vehicles for the law enforcement department, new emergency response communication equipment and a street sweeper and pickup truck for flood maintenance and prevention efforts from the public works department.
- The town of Spring City will use a $320,000 loan and $55,000 grant to purchase a pumper truck for the Spring City Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department currently operates from one fire station that houses two pumper trucks and one service truck. The community is divided by the main lines of the CSX railroad; therefore, the pumper trucks must be staggered in locations on either side of the tracks. The truck would provide public safety and fire protection to the approximate 2,000 residents of Spring City, Tenn.
- Charleston Calhoun Hiwassee TN Historical Society will use a $4,200 grant to purchase furniture and equipment to outfit the research area of the Hiwassee Heritage Center in Charleston, Tenn. The equipment to be purchased includes a computer, monitor, flatbed scanner, plotter printer, microfilm machine and office desk. Once this space is outfitted, it will allow local residents and out of town visitors to come to the Center for historical or genealogical research.
- The town of Ashland City will use a $5.3 million loan to finance a City Hall project. The building will be approximately 16,400 square feet and will house the Mayor's office, Building and Codes Department, administrative offices, City Courtroom/City Council chambers, and inmate holding areas. This space also includes a conference room, kitchen and storage areas. Due to the unprecedented growth in the community the new facility will better serve the residents of the town.
- The town of Ashland City will use a $5.5 million loan and $250,000 grant to finance a fire hall project. The building will be approximately 20,000 square feet that will include eight apparatus bays and bedrooms, training classrooms, kitchen, administrative offices, exercise rooms and an elevator. Due to the unprecedented growth in the community the fire department needs this new fire hall to maintain a high level of fire protection for the citizens of the town.
- Humphreys County will use a $15.1 million loan to construct a law enforcement complex. The remodeled 17,783-square-foot building will house the Sheriff's office and provide additional space for administration, booking and detox, detention and a new kitchen.
- Carroll County will use a $34,800 grant to purchase two new highway maintenance trucks. The Carroll County Highway Department has two trucks currently in service that have exceeded their useful life and need replacement. The trucks will be used on a regular basis for highway maintenance and repair.
- Grundy County will use a $21,000 grant to purchase equipment for the newly built Grundy County Food Bank. The equipment to be purchased includes a walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer, television with wall mount, bookshelves and a moveable vinyl pop up tent to shelter the Food Bank's truck. The newly built Food Bank is centrally located in Coalmont, Tenn. and will replace the dilapidated 60-year-old former grocery store building in Tracy City, Tenn. The equipment will help the approximately 13,700 residents of Grundy County have access to food and other household items.
- The city of Tiptonville will use a $50,000 grant to purchase a street sweeper. The street sweeper will be used to remove debris and trash that is clogging storm drains and drainage ways. Once the debris is removed, excess water will be allowed to drain creating safe, passable streets throughout town.
The investments announced today will support community infrastructure projects in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, 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 Grant Program, 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 Grant Program, 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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