PHOENIX, 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. Nine organizations in Arizona are receiving funds under this announcement.
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 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. These investments will go a long way toward helping America ‘Build Back Better’ toward a just and more equitable society.”
The nine Arizona projects included in this announcement are:
- Diné College is receiving a Tribal College Initiative Grant for the Diné College Tsaile Demonstration Farm Development to complete construction of a livestock holding facility. The completion of this project will allow for students to learn livestock handling.
- Tohono O’odham Community College is receiving a Tribal College Initiative Grant to purchase equipment and furniture for their art studio, science laboratory, and classrooms in the new Arts and Sciences building on their main campus in Sells, Arizona.
- Pima County is receiving a Housing Preservation Grant to repair and rehabilitate ten homes in unincorporated areas of Pima County, Arizona. Funds will be used to improve critical health and safety conditions of each impacted home.
- Red Feather Development Corporation is receiving a Housing Preservation Grant to repair and rehabilitate 15 homes in the Tuba City Chapters of the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation located in Coconino and Navajo Counties. Funds will be used to improve critical health and safety conditions of each impacted home.
- Diné Community Development Corporation is receiving a Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant to develop a Navajo financial cooperative program for the Navajo Nation and surrounding Tribal communities. This project will support the development of a feasibility study and business plan to establish the financial cooperative, which will provide financial opportunities with services for members similar to retail banks.
- The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority is receiving a Water and Waste Grant to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant in Chinle, Arizona. The Authority also will build a 1,650-square-foot treatment building with office and storage space.
- The Papago Butte Domestic Water Improvement District is receiving a Water and Waste Grant to construct a water treatment system for its service area. In addition, the District will construct a pipeline to extend its line to the neighboring Ranches at Maricopa community.
- Yuma County Improvement District is receiving Water and Waste Grant funds to make water system improvements in Tacna, Arizona. The District will construct a new water treatment and distribution system, replace aging infrastructure, and build new water storage.
- The Town of Quartzsite Municipal Property Corporation is receiving a Water and Waste Grant to make significant upgrades to expand their wastewater system. Improvements include installing 25,000 linear feet of sewer line, new manholes, and additional residential and commercial connections.
These investments are made through 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, Socially Disadvantaged Group Grants and Water and Waste Disposal Grants.
Nationwide, the funding announced today will help more than 425,000 people in 46 states, Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development helps rural residents, businesses and communities address economic development, infrastructure and social service needs. It will help low-income people make health and safety repairs to their homes. It will help build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure for people living in U.S. communities along the Mexico border. It will help rural business owners in the Mississippi Delta get access to capital and business development assistance. It also will help colleges that serve Tribal populations upgrade campus buildings and services. A complete listing of the projects announced today may be found online.
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.