United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting State Director Molly Hammond today announced that USDA is investing $654,800 to improve emergency response community facilities to benefit residences served by the Salem Fire Protection District. This funding is part of a $156 million nationwide package to support health-care-related improvements and emergency response services that will benefit nearly 1 million rural residents in nine states and Puerto Rico.
“USDA is playing a pivotal role to assist rural communities in these unprecedented times in Illinois,” Hammond said. “Our programs are in an excellent position to help those facing challenges caused by the pandemic and day-to-day common needs as well. Our offices are proud to continue to meet those challenges head-on.”
Background:
USDA is investing in 41 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program throughout the United States, with one in Illinois. This assistance will fund emergency response vehicles, nursing homes, and equipment, improving essential community services.
These investments are going to Alabama, California, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Puerto Rico.
Below is the project announced in Illinois today:
- This Rural Development investment to the Salem Fire Protection District will be used to purchase a side-mount, 2,000-gallon pumper truck. The truck will replace one that is 33 years old and in need of costly repairs. The department serves a 125-square-mile area that includes Stevenson, Haines, Racoon, Tonti and Alma townships.
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.
Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. 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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