Investment is part of $222 Million Announced Nationwide
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 and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities. It also includes $132 million to support health care, food security, and emergency response services for more than 850,000 rural residents in 37 states. USDA Rural Development is investing a total of $8.49 million in organizations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is delivering on its promise to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild our economy,” Torres Small said. “Rural Americans need emergency response, hospitals and medical facilities, and USDA’s loans and grants invest in critical infrastructure to make that possible. USDA Rural Development puts rural people at the forefront of investment and opportunity to help us all build back better, stronger, and more resilient.”
USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Liz Gariepy said, “This Rural Development funding supports multiple projects in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island that benefit critical community facilities. From renovating a rural fire station and purchasing law enforcement vehicles to assisting a Native American Tribe in acquiring an emergency backup generator, this key funding is improving the quality of life for residents in rural communities in many ways.”
In Massachusetts, the organizations receiving funding are:
• Town of Ashby is receiving a loan in the amount of $6,665,000. This Rural Development investment will be used to renovate a 4,500 square foot Fire Station with a 11,500 square foot addition. The additional space will allow the Law Enforcement Department to be housed in the same building, making it a new multi-use Public Safety Complex. The addition will provide the Fire Department with administration space, bunk rooms, a kitchen, dining room, and day room. The Law Enforcement Department section will include a sally-port and two alternate vehicle bays, and administrative offices.
• Town of Southbridge is receiving a grant in the amount of $131,600. This This Rural Development investment will be used to fund two law enforcement vehicles as well as an all season dump truck and snow plow for the Department of Public Works (DPW). The current DPW dump truck and snow plow are well beyond their useful life and scheduled for replacement. In law enforcement, the standard useful life of a patrol vehicle is 2-4 years, however; the applicant typically stretches useful life based on a high level of need in the community, and now are in need for new vehicles.
• Town of Sturbridge is receiving a grant in the amount of $98,900. This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase a new 2021 Pierce Enforcer 1500GPL Pumper truck in order to better respond to the 1,970 calls the department receives per year. The town of Sturbridge operates a full service fire and emergency medical services department of 14 full-time and six part-time firefighter EMT paramedics. The truck will replace a 1997 Freightliner FL 80 that developed a cracked frame which rendered the vehicle inoperable and unrepairable. The truck was retired and the department has been driving a well-used spare.
• Latham Centers, Inc. is receiving a grant in the amount of $800,000. This Rural Development investment will purchase fixtures, furnishings and appurtenances for the new Latham Community Center. The center is an essential community facility that provides housing, educational and vocational resources, life skills training and individualized therapies to clients with Prader-Willi syndrome.
In Connecticut, the organizations receiving funding are:
• Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council is receiving a grant in the amount of $336,900. This Rural Development investment will be used to help the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation purchase an emergency backup generator to replace an outdated, failing generator at the community center. The center contains a fully-equipped emergency shelter for the community in times of natural disaster or emergency situations. The center is the hub of tribal government and community services.
• Town of Griswold is receiving a grant in the amount of $411,800. This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase fixtures, equipment and supplies required to outfit a commercial kitchen in the town's Senior Community Wellness Center. At the time of application, construction of the 15,000-square-foot facility was approximately 80 percent complete. Progress of this project was placed on hold due to financial shortfalls that occurred since local funding was approved and due to the pandemic.
In Rhode Island, the organization receiving funding is:
• Town of Tiverton is receiving $51,000. This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase three SUV law enforcement vehicles.
USDA is investing in 537 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.
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. Under 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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