Investments totaling more $17.3 million to benefit more than 4,000 rural residents
HOWARD LAKE, Minn., May 30, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden and USDA Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Colleen Landkamer, alongside federal, state and local officials, today visited the city of Howard Lake to recognize more than $17.3 million in investments for essential community infrastructure.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to strengthening the community and social infrastructure in rural areas across the nation,” Under Secretary Gooden said. “Today, I’m proud to announce investments for the city of Hudson Lake that will revitalize critical infrastructure for hundreds of people. Together, these awards will enhance access to educational resources, good-paying jobs, clean drinking water and more.”
During his visit to Howard Lake, Dr. Gooden toured the progress of a nearly $5.5 million public library in partnership with Rural Development of $4.5 million in loan financing through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The new facility will provide disability accommodations for each area, access to modern technology, and space for library collections, meetings, and assemblies.
With just over a month until the completion of the brand new 7,000 square foot public library, the city of Howard Lake is now moving forward with its next priority to improve its water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure, thanks in partnership with USDA Rural Development. City officials spoke with Dr. Gooden about how the nearly $10 million in loan/grant financing through Rural Development’s Water & Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program will help to replace cracked water, wastewater and storm water piping and resolve health and safety concerns resulting. In addition, financing will help construct a new water treatment facility and a new well to replace current infrastructure that no longer meets the capcity needs of the community.
City officials continued the discussion by explaining to Dr. Gooden that in order to complete the water infrastructure improvements, several areas of the City’s streets will need to be torn up. To help offset the cost of repairing the streets, Howard Lake’s partnership with Rural Development continues through a $3.2 million Community Facilities loan.
These investments reflect the many ways that USDA Rural Development’s programs can help rural areas address the unique needs of their individual and surrounding communities to help rural America build back resiliency.
Community Facilities Background
USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program helps residents in rural areas build or improve essential community infrastructure and purchase or replace equipment needed for essential community services.
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 your local USDA Rural Development office. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process.
Water and Waste Background
USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Direct Loan and Grant Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.
Contact USDA Rural Development
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.
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mn. Stay current by following @RD_Minnesota on Twitter.
USDA Rural Development has 12 offices across the state to serve the 1.8 million residents living in rural Minnesota. Office locations include a state office in St. Paul and area offices in Alexandria, Austin, Baxter, Bemidji, Cambridge, Detroit Lakes, Faribault, Marshall, Thief River Falls, Virginia, Willmar, and Worthington.
If you’d like to subscribe to Minnesota USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
#