BISMARCK, N.D., June 23, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting State Director for Rural Development North Dakota Mark Wax today announced that USDA is investing $185 million to equip, rebuild, and modernize essential services in rural North Dakota.
“These investments showcase a prior on infrastructure for the Biden-Harris Administration,” said Wax. “It will help our rural communities improve their core facilities such as hospitals and libraries. As America builds back stronger, these projects will help the communities continue to beat the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Background:
USDA is investing in 233 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Of these, 74 awards, totaling $4 million, will help communities with their long-term recovery efforts following natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and tornadoes.
The Department is making investments in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
In North Dakota:
- The Good Samaritan Hospital Association is receiving an $80,000 grant to renovate and elevator. The current elevator is aged and has a history of mechanical breakdowns. The renovations will include new controls as well as upgraded electrical service and fire system monitoring.
- Pierce County is receiving an over $60,000 grant to update the security system for the Pierce County Jail. The updates include security system software, updates to cameras and storage servers. The new software will allow greater usage of systems such as securing doors, cameras and door access.
- The City of Minnewaukan is receiving an over $10,000 grant to finance a stationary pump. The current system is run through a PTO attached to a tractor. Since the city does not own the tractor, it would be more beneficial to purchase a different pump that is not run by a PTO.
Below are examples of today’s investments:
- In California, the El Dorado County Community Health Center is receiving a $18.5 million loan to build a medical facility for residents and workers in and around Placerville. The center is a key player in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in El Dorado County. It also provides medical, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy and substance misuse treatment services.
- In West Virginia, the Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle is receiving an $800,000 loan to purchase a facility to house the club’s child care services. Its child care program is open to all children who live in Morgan County. The club will rent a portion of the facility to a non-profit health care provider.
- In North Carolina, the Potters Hill Volunteer Fire Department is receiving a $375,000 disaster grant and a $795,000 direct loan to replace three, high-mileage, unreliable fire trucks. The new trucks will provide essential fire protection and emergency services primarily for rural residents and businesses in Duplin County in eastern North Carolina. Many parts of the area suffered considerable damage from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018.
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.
To learn more about Community Facilities Program funding opportunities, contact a USDA Rural Development state office. 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. 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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