USDA Invests $266 Million to Improve Rural Community Facilities and Essential Services in 16 States and Puerto Rico

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 23 March 2021 23 March 2021

Funding Includes $156 Million for Rural Health Care and Emergency Response Services

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today announced that USDA is investing $266 million to build and improve critical community facilities (PDF, 162 KB) to benefit nearly 3 million rural residents in 16 states and Puerto Rico. This funding includes $156 million to support health-care-related improvements and emergency response services that will benefit nearly 1 million rural residents in nine states and Puerto Rico.

“The Biden-Harris administration has made beating the COVID-19 pandemic and restoring the economy a top-priority, and USDA is playing a critical role,” Maxson said. “USDA Rural Development programs and services are in a unique position to help rural communities facing challenges caused by the pandemic. The investments announced today will spur community development and build sound infrastructure like hospitals and medical facilities to help rural America build back better and stronger.”

Background:

USDA is investing in 41 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The assistance will fund a variety of essential community services, including emergency response vehicles and equipment.

These investments are going to Alabama, California, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Puerto Rico.

Below are examples of the projects announced today:

  • In Washington, the North Olympic Healthcare Network will use a $4 million loan to purchase the building it currently leases to provide community health services. Ownership will enable the network to lower costs and provide more services to its clients, most of whom are low-income or lack health insurance. This project will benefit more than 19,000 rural residents.
  • In New Jersey, the Deborah Heart and Lung Center is receiving an $88 million loan to upgrade all double-occupancy, in-patient rooms to private suites. This will help improve patient and visitor safety, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds will also provide an in-patient tower of individual patient suites. This project will benefit nearly 800,000 rural residents.
  • In Michigan, the Allegan County Community Mental Health Services will use a $5 million loan to purchase and renovate a building to consolidate the county’s Community Mental Health Services division into one building. The agency provides medical, behavioral health, care management, outreach and dental services. This project will benefit more than 111,000 rural residents.

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.

Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. 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; 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate, smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. 

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