U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Jeff Case today announced that USDA is investing $1,331,200 to improve critical community facilities and equipment throughout the state. Over 41,000 rural Missourians will benefit from the funding.
“Modern facilities, equipment, and infrastructure are vital to the prosperity of rural communities,” said Case. “USDA Rural Development is committed to ensuring that rural Missourians enjoy the same basic quality of life and services enjoyed by those in urban areas. We are pleased to offer programs that assist in accomplishing this because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
USDA is providing the funding through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The investments can be used to build or upgrade a wide range of rural community facilities such as schools, libraries, clinics, and public safety facilities. 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.
Case announced the following five projects will receive funding in Missouri:
- The Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding and activities benefitting the physically and mentally disabled, elderly, veterans, and the general public. The Center will use a $405,000 loan to purchase the building it was previously renting, allowing it to remain in its existing location.
- A $297,200 loan and $159,900 grant will assist the Caruthersville Municipal Facility Improvement Corporation to purchase miscellaneous equipment needed for Caruthersville’s street, fire, and law enforcement departments.
- Grand River Emergency Services, Inc. will receive a $140,300 loan and $24,700 grant to assist with the purchase of an ambulance for Grand River Regional Ambulance District, replacing an older model nearing the end of its useful life.
- A $96,800 loan and $74,800 grant will be awarded to the Miller Township Road Association to purchase a motor grader to repair and maintain Miller Township’s 150 miles of roadways. Excessive flooding and road damages caused extensive wear on the township's 2007 model rendering it unreliable, no longer meeting the township's needs.
- Adair County Road Maintenance Association will receive an $82,500 loan and $50,000 grant to purchase 12 portable radios for the Adair County Sheriff's Department, replacing radios at the end of their useful life.
Today’s announcement came as part of a larger statement in which the Trump Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $153 million to build and improve critical community facilities to benefit nearly two million rural residents in 23 states.
“Rural America needs safe, modern infrastructure to help residents and businesses achieve greater prosperity and have access to essential services,” USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas.
Contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo or by calling (573) 876-0995. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB), a detailed overview of the application process.
USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains. If you’d like to subscribe to Missouri USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.