NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 20, 2021 - Acting State Director Dan Beasley today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for grants to improve health care in the Delta region.
USDA is making available up to $3 million in grants through the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program. The funding may be used to support activities such as health education programs, health care services, job training in health care fields, and developing or expanding public health facilities.
“This funding will help address the health care needs and challenges that are unique to this region,” Beasley said. “There is a solid connection between a viable economy and a healthy workforce, and USDA is committed to helping residents in this area build back better.”
The program is a collaborative effort among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research centers and other entities. Projects funded under this program must serve the Delta region. This includes all 21 west Tennessee counties: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, McNairy, Madison, Obion, Shelby, Tipton and Weakley counties.
Previously in Dyer County:
- Dyersburg State Community College used a $476,280 grant to provide equipment and technical assistance, specifically for health care training in the rural areas of northwest Tennessee. The project was designed to create a pipeline of rural health care workers to fill shortages that was present in the fields of EMT’s, paramedics, and registered nurses. In turn, the project created entry points for health care professions and expanded the access to primary health care for rural residents.
USDA encourages applications that will support the Biden administration’s goal to reduce morbidity and mortality. This includes applications for programs and services to address substance use disorder (including opioid misuse) in high-risk rural communities by strengthening the capacity to address prevention, treatment and/or recovery.
The minimum grant award is $50,000. The maximum award is $1 million. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.
Completed applications for grants must be submitted electronically by no later than midnight Eastern Standard Time July 19, 2021 through http://www.grants.gov.
For additional information, see page 27370 of the May 20, 2021, Federal Register.
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. To learn more, visit www.rd.usda.gov/tn. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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