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Success Stories

A mother and three daughters pose around a dining room table. There are lace curtains and blue wall in the background and some dishes on the table in the foreground.

“This is Home” – A Family Finds Their Forever Home in Calais, Maine

One of the first rooms Heather Gagne and her daughters began redecorating in their new home is the dining room, shown in the top photo. They have been busy repainting and making other updates. Raising a family in coastal Machias, Maine may sound lovely, but for Heather Gagne recent years proved stressful. There were few housing options in their Downeast community, and Heather was glad to find a rental home to…
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Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 769 Stories
grain dryer photo

Cost Effective Measures Helps Rural Farmer Reduce Energy

Al Moore owns and operates a family farm operation located near the town of Brandt, South Dakota. Al had been using a 2004 GSI 114 Continuous Flow horizontal dryer to dry his grain and was also hauling grain to an off-site drying facility to have it dried and stored commercially… [Read More]
REAP
Ms. Dearing on her porch (center) social distance visiting from USDA housing program team members Wes and Qula.

Home Completely Restored by Maximizing USDA’s Housing Programs

Ms. Dearing sought help for extensive home improvements; her local Rural Development housing team delivered. “Program knowledge and experience was key in this case,” recalls Wesley Sparks, loan specialist.  The structure was badly in need of work to bring it to safe, decent… [Read More]
Home Repair
The Best Western Astoria Bayfront Hotel remained open amid the coronavirus pandemic, providing lodging for essential employees and continued employment for its staff.

Rural Hotel Provides Lodging for Essential Workers, Continued Employment for Staff Amid Pandemic

As the coronavirus pandemic took hold in Oregon, the hospitality industry became one of many sectors suddenly struggling to survive. The Best Western Astoria Bayfront Hotel on the Oregon coast lost 95 percent of its business in April and May, with $200,000 in cancellations, as… [Read More]
Business
Ashley Schoefield's new home photo

Partnerships Work as Validated by a Happy New Homeowner

Ashley Schofield is a teacher in the Kadoka school system. Ashley had a dream of giving her young children a home of their own. She heard of a lot in town, but the house had been condemned. She contacted the city; the city demolished the house and her mother bought the lot so… [Read More]
Homeownership

Homeownership Gives Rural Family a Lifetime of Security, Safety Amid Pandemic

The Mitchell family was living on top of each other in their cramped apartment in the rural town of Tillamook on the northern Oregon coast. The exposed wiring in the second bedroom forced them to share the master with their two young children. They applied for a mortgage loan,… [Read More]
Housing
Rushville Fire Truck

USDA Assists in Protecting Residents and Firefighters

The 890 rural residents of the city of Rushville are currently served by a 1974 pumper truck that was refurbished in 1994. The vehicle lacks 4x4 wheel drive which is critical during poor weather conditions.  Also, the truck can't pump and roll simultaneously, and does not… [Read More]
Community FacilitiesDisaster
Ms. Hill in her new home.

RD Helps Mother Buy Her First Home

One of the most rewarding feelings for us at USDA Rural Development is making the call to an applicant once they're approved for a loan under the 502 Direct Home Program. You can hear the excitement in their voice and you can feel the gratitude through the phone lines.… [Read More]
HomeownershipHousing
Home of Glaser.

From a Renter to a Homeowner

Tyler Glaser was tired of renting and wanted a home he could shape into his own.  As he works in Norfolk, Neb. it was an easy decision for him to decide where he wanted to own.   "My Mom works at a title company in Norfolk and pointed me in the right direction to… [Read More]
Homeownership
Lakes Andes Fire Truck

Improving the Efficiency and Delivery of Fire Protection Services

The focus of any fire department is to reduce deaths and injury due to fire related hazards. Having protective clothing as well as updated trucks and equipment is vital, which improves the efficiency and delivery of fire protection services. The Lake Andes-Ravinia Fire… [Read More]
Community Facilities

Ready to Buy Our Home

Miranda Keifer is a single mother of a nine year old daughter.  They currently live in Norfolk, Neb. which they decided to call their hometown.    Miranda had rented for years and was now ready to take the ultimate step, buying her first house. "I decided to buy… [Read More]
Homeownership

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