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Success Stories

Smith Island, Maryland

Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure is Key to Preserving Smith Island, Maryland

For the people living on Smith Island, the water matters. But it’s about more than the beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay from the picturesque island ten miles from the mainland. The multi‐generational residents depend on the surrounding Chesapeake Bay for their livelihoods. For many, crabbing, oystering, and ecotourism are what puts dollars in their bank accounts, and food on their tables. In rural communities…
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Search Results: 729 Stories
Photo: The fire station serving rural Depoe Bay on the Oregon coast received seismic improvements and was fully renovated with the help of USDA funding.

Rural Fire Station Renovated to Withstand Earthquake

The residents of the rural community of Depoe Bay on the Oregon coast are no strangers to earthquakes. Most of the tremors they experience are small, but in the event of a major quake, they would depend on their local emergency responders for assistance. The 40-year-old, three-… [Read More]
Community Facilities
Photo: The rural town of Myrtle Point is responding to medical emergencies in its rugged service area more easily with a new four-wheel drive ambulance.

Removing Barriers to Emergency Medical Care in Remote Community

During a severe ice and snow storm along Interstate 5, the rural town of Myrtle Point struggled to transfer a patient to a larger hospital several hundred miles away using their aging, two-wheel drive ambulance. Nestled in the foothills of the Coastal Mountain Range in… [Read More]
Community FacilitiesHealth Care
Sturgis' Public Works Department Photo

Cost Savings Gained Through Consolidation of Facilities into Singular Campus

The City of Sturgis’ Public Works Department conducted a study on their department with regards to management and facilities.  The report revealed many inefficiencies including over crowded conditions, duplication of equipment and administration. It was determined that cost… [Read More]
Community Facilities
Kili Radio Photo

Solar Array to Assist with Rural South Dakota Radio Station’s Electricity Needs

Lakota Communications, Inc.’s KILI Radio facility will construct a 20kW solar array that produces fifty percent of the facility’s electrical needs.  The radio station transmits across the 3,470 square-mile Pine Ridge Indian Reservation from a remote bluff in the tiny village of… [Read More]
Community Facilities
Photo: The volunteers that make up the Wheeler County Search and Rescue team now have the necessary equipment to safely conduct rescues and treat patients.

Help is On the Way: Equipping a Rural Search and Rescue Team

Wheeler County Search and Rescue, as with many rural emergency departments, has a limited budget and could not afford essential equipment. This entirely volunteer team borrowed supplies from the Sheriff’s Office, but most volunteers provided their equipment, and the medics even… [Read More]
Community Facilities
Photo: Outlaw Auto, a small, family-owned business in Myrtle Point, Oregon, is providing stable income for its owners and jobs for this rural community.

Small Family-owned Business Creates Jobs in Rural Community

For years, John and Alayna Black dreamed about opening their own business. John worked as a mechanic, repairing cars, motorcycles, and boats, but it was a struggle to make ends meet, especially after Alayna’s back surgery. “I didn’t know if we’d be able to pay the bills or have… [Read More]
BusinessSmall Business
Rooftop Solar Unit Located on Top of the Bluffs Business Center Building.

Sarchet Ventures REAPing the Benefits of Rooftop Solar

The Bluffs Business Center in Scottsbluff, Neb. is a historical trademark in the downtown area located on Broadway. Sarchet Ventures owns and operates the Center. Mike Sarchet, managing partner of Sarchet Ventures, has a history of more than 30 years as an environmental educator… [Read More]
Solar Energy
Lone Tree Foods logo.

Marketing and Modernization Project Increases Local Food Options

Lone Tree Foods, with the main office in Crete, Neb., is a farmer-owned business named for the Lone Tree Ferry that was instrumental in connecting Nebraska to the eastern territories.  Their mission is to connect local farmers with wholesale buyers in Eastern Nebraska and… [Read More]
Value Added
Welcome to Plainview sign.

City of Plainview Obtains Financial Tool To Recruit New Businesses

The city of Plainview is facing the challenge that many rural communities face; how does a rural community keep existing businesses in operation and recruit new businesses to keep the community viable. One of the issues Plainview plans to address is the challenge of apparent… [Read More]
Small Business
New equipment providing state-of-the-art medical services.

One Program, Several Improvements for City of Cozad

The city of Cozad (pop. 3,977), located in Dawson County, has a very active economic development program, with Cozad Development Corporation (CDC) always looking for ways to stretch local economic development funds to assist new businesses. Rural Development was able to assist… [Read More]
Economic Development

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