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.”
Michigan has 20 projects that total $982,000 in funding that will benefit more than 88,000 rural residents.
“These investments highlight our commitment to providing equitable assistance to strengthen our rural communities throughout Michigan,” said USDA Rural Development State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins. “The projects listed here represent just a few of the examples of how USDA can partner with rural communities to address their needs.”
- Bay Mills Community College will use a $175,448 grant to purchase office furniture, secondary computer screens, additional fiberoptic cable, two augmented reality systems, a disk repair system, a 3-dimensional anatomy and physiology visualization and simulation table, a digital incubator, a double-wheel garden hoe, and other safety and security upgrades.
- The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe will use a $175,448 to purchase and install a pre-fabricated outdoor shelter area. The shelter will be used as an outdoor classroom that will be used for science and Native American Studies. Outdoor classrooms and spaces contribute to ecological literacy, foster understanding and appreciation of the natural world. The outdoor classroom will be placed on the tribal college property between the senior living facility and the public safety building, which is also within walking distance from the tribal museum.
- The Alcona County Commission on Aging will use a $50,000 grant to purchase information technology equipment to replace older, obsolete systems. The upgrades will allow the center to provide internet access, computer training and education, and activities to connect older adults. ACCOA will also have a digital educational initiative so that participants can learn and interact with others.
- Hampton Charter Township, in Bay County, will use an $11,600 grant to purchase a 4x4 pickup and snow plow. This vehicle will replace an old fleet vehicle that has outlived its useful life with high mileage and maintenance issues. The vehicle will be used on a daily basis to maintain township infrastructure and snow removal. It will have Flex-Fuel technology that will be more environmentally friendly, emitting fewer greenhouse gases.
- The City of Cheboygan, in Cheboygan County, will use a $25,000 grant purchase a patrol vehicle. The vehicle will replace an older fleet vehicle with high mileage and is no longer dependable for patrol services.
- The City of Davison, in Genesee County, will use a $2,800 grant to purchase an all-terrain vehicle. The equipment will replace an older vehicle that has outlived its useful life and is no longer dependable. The new equipment will be used to maintain city property including city parks, city hall, the Department of Public Works, municipal infrastructure and also for festivals and special events.
- Gladwin County District Library will use a $50,000 grant to purchase LED lighting. Their current facilities have traditional lighting and ballasts, which are not energy efficient. The grant will also purchase and install an exterior LED lighted sign, replacing an older, non-functioning one that requires labor for any attachments. The exterior sign will be able to promote activities at the library.
- The Bad Axe Fire Protection Association will use a $39,000 grant to purchase a pick-up truck. The vehicle will be used to help fight field and wild land fires. It will be able to pull their air trailer as well as transport firefighters. This vehicle will benefit the local area with better firefighting equipment.
- Iosco County will use a $13,800 grant to purchase a patrol vehicle. This will replace the old fleet patrol vehicle that has high mileage and maintenance issues. It will be used for patrolling and emergency response within the county.
- The City of West Branch, in Ogemaw County, will use a $29,100 grant to purchase a patrol vehicle. The vehicle will replace an existing one that has high mileage and is no longer dependable for patrol services.
- Evergreen Township, in Sanilac County, will use a $20,000 grant to purchase and install heating equipment and a standby generator. The township will build a substation fire hall in a centralized location within the township, providing better emergency services for their residents.
- The City of Perry, in Shiawassee County, will use two grants totaling $28,100 to purchase a police patrol vehicle and ballistic vests for their officers as well as a sub-compact tractor with a mower deck, front mount snowblower, broom and loader for the Department of Public Works
- Crystal Falls Township, in Iron County, will use a $2.15 million loan to build a fire station. The existing fire station is located within the City of Crystal Falls and has outlived its useful life, lacks adequate space for today's firefighting equipment and requires extensive improvements. The 6,500 square foot facility will be located in the township on almost nine acres of land, allowing more than adequate space to construct a facility that will meet all of their needs. The fire station will have five bays, restroom facilities compliant under the Americans with Disabilities Act, offices, and training space. The acreage will allow future expansion if needed.
In addition to the above projects, USDA awarded $361,704 in Housing Preservation Grants to: Ogemaw County, Oscoda County, the Alcona County Housing Commission, Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency and the Bay Mills Indian Community.
These funds will help repair or improve housing for low-income residents.
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.
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.