COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 18, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Department is investing $86 million to improve equitable access to jobs, business opportunities, education, housing and health care for people who live and work in rural areas. The investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensure that people living in rural communities have equitable access to the infrastructure and opportunities often taken for granted by people living in urban and suburban areas.
“Regardless of where they live, their race, ethnicity or gender, or the size of the town in which they live, all people must have access to good jobs, decent housing, clean water and good job opportunities,” Vilsack said. “This is foundational to a healthy society and stable communities. Today’s announcements build on the historic investments made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law by President Biden to ensure equity during a time when people living in underserved places are suffering the most. The investments I am announcing today will go a long way toward helping America ‘Build Back Better’ toward a just and more equitable society.”
In Ohio, $663,314 in investments were made through the Housing Preservation Grant Program and the Rural Community Development Initiative to assist low-income and very low-income residents make health and safety repairs to their homes and infrastructure improvements.
The Housing Preservation Grant fund awards, which will help 29 rural homeowners repair and/or rehabilitate their homes, include:
- A $200,000 grant for Yellow Springs Home, Inc. in Greene County;
- A $113,314 grant for Pickaway County Community Action Organization; and
- A $100,000 grant awarded to the Washington-Morgan Community Action Program will be used in Washington and Morgan Counties.
Additionally, through the Rural Community Development Initiative, WSOS Community Action Commission will use a $250,000 investment to provide technical assistance for a local planning and development initiative through Great Lake Community Action Partnership (GLCAP). This initiative is targeted at developing the ability of local communities to support entrepreneurs and retain economic growth. Technical assistance will be provided across the communities of Columbiana City, Fayette Village, Fostoria City, Lisbon Village, Minerva Village, Painesville City, Paulding Village, Salem City and Tiffin City.
GLCAP has been working to develop rural communities for nearly 40 years with staff that have a wide range of expertise. Through this project, GLCAP will address several priorities put forward by the Rural Prosperity Task Force which include improving the rural economy, supporting a rural workforce, and improving quality of life.
In total, Vilsack highlighted 218 investments that USDA is making in six programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs include Tribal College Initiative Grants, Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, Housing Preservation Grants, Delta Health Care Grants, Socially Disadvantaged Group Grants and Water and Waste Disposal Grants.
A complete list of awards can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/usda_rd_nr_equity_chart.pdf.
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. USDA Rural Development is prioritizing projects that will support key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help rural America build back better and stronger. Key priorities include combating the COVID-19 pandemic; addressing the impacts of climate change; and advancing equity in rural America. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points. 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, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, 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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