United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Nebraska State Director Kate Bolz announced her department is investing more than $28 million in community facilities in Nebraska today. The funds are part of $1 billion being invested nationwide.
“There couldn’t be a more important time in our nation’s recent history to get these funds to Nebraskans,” said Bolz. “We are proud of the strength and compassion demonstrated throughout the pandemic by our rural communities. These funds will provide resources to health care facilities, first responders, and other organizations providing essential service to help our rural communities thrive.”
The funds are expected to improve the quality of life for citizens in Filmore County, Kimball County, Davenport, Village of Adams, City of South Sioux City, City of Crawford, City of Falls City, Pennsylvania Colony Historical Society of Nebraska, Oconto, Pawnee City, Village of Lyman, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, Brown County, Steinauer Village, Village of Guide Rock, Brown County, City of Bayard, and Village of Morrill.
USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh said, “The Biden-Harris Administration has made investing in infrastructure improvements a top priority. When we invest in essential services in rural America, we build opportunity and prosperity for the people who call rural communities home.”
Bolz highlighted 26 investments and five programs that fund essential community services to help rural America build back better, stronger, and more equitably than ever before. These programs include Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Technical Assistance Training Grants, Community Facilities Disaster Grants, and Economic Impact Initiative Grants.
The Rural Development funds will finance emergency response equipment and build or improve hospitals and clinics or other essential community facilities.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding and Nebraska municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes are encouraged to apply. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program.
Interested parties should contact the USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility. 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 in business development, housing, community facilities, and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ne. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.