WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is awarding $3 million in cooperative agreements to 13 organizations. These organizations will provide technical assistance to people living in rural and Tribal communities so they can apply for and access government resources for projects that will attract jobs and people, rebuild the economy, and pave the way for rural America to build back better.
“Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, USDA is investing in ways to help people in our nation’s smallest towns and communities access the government funding they need to create more jobs, deploy critical infrastructure, repair their homes or build more and better homes for the community, and so much more,” Torres Small said. “As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on people living in rural places, the Department is targeting resources and leveraging partnerships to enhance the quality of life in rural towns and Tribal areas who need it most. Community and economic development strategies like placemaking are critical to helping the people of rural America build back better, stronger and more equitably than ever before.”
The Department is making the awards under the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC). Placemaking is a collaborative planning and technical assistance process that helps leaders from rural communities create quality places where people will want to live, work, visit and learn.
USDA is awarding cooperative agreements to: Auburn University, Greater Applegate Community Development Corporation, County of Hawaii, Enterprise Center Partners, Kentucky Highlands Center for Development, Multicultural Initiative for Community Advancement (MICA) Group Inc., Bowling Green State University, Foundation for Puerto Rico, Center for Habitat Reconstruction Inc., University of Tennessee, Communities Unlimited, Conservation Fund and Housing Assistance Council.
The organizations will work directly with people in rural communities to develop plans that will ensure people have access to high-speed internet in their homes, are able to live in affordable houses, have access to safe and reliable transportation to go to school and work, and more. This assistance will support the communities for up to two years.
The investments will help people in rural and Tribal communities in Alabama, California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico.
For Example:
- County of Hawaii: $225,000 - This Rural Development investment will be used to help Hawaii County develop and implement a Strategic Placemaking Implementation Plan that brings to life its Kīlauea Recovery & Resilience Plan. The plan is a community-sourced, regional placemaking blueprint that reimagines Puna district and identifies key social and economic development opportunities following the devastating 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Funds will help the county build capacity and establish a collective action structure to support long-term implementation of the placemaking plan. The county will expand partnerships and resource opportunities. It also will provide spaces to develop and leverage adaptive funding and financing mechanisms. The assistance will benefit people in Puna district in Hawaii County.
- Enterprise Center Partners: $250,000 - This Rural Development investment will be used to help Enterprise Center Partners to help Anahola, Hawaii expand housing opportunities, including rental properties for older adults, workforce housing and affordable homeownership properties. Enterprise Center Partners will use USDA Rural Housing Service programs and resources to expand housing opportunities. Funds also will be used to help increase economic opportunities and expand small businesses by developing a plan to build or improve a farmer's market, café, and rodeo/stables. Funds also will be used to help increase farming and ranching activities, including individual micro-growing activities to help people who live in this region increase their income and food sovereignty. Funds will be used to increase recreation and tourism by connecting resources to Kumu Camp and other local recreation facilities and trails.
USDA will announce in the coming months additional communities that will receive placemaking assistance. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/rpic.
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, 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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