USDA to invest $2.7m in community infrastructure for rural Missouri
What do you think?
Over $2.7 million is coming to help critical community facilities across rural Missouri. Read the full press release below:
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Missouri State Director Kyle Wilkens announced today that USDA is investing $2,761,900 to build and improve critical community facilities across rural Missouri. This funding will increase access to public safety, education, emergency response, and help fund other essential community facilities and equipment needed to spur community development for people living in rural Missouri.
“Rural Development is committed to improving infrastructure across rural Missouri,” Wilkens said. “Community infrastructure is key to ensuring that rural areas have access to health care, education, and public safety. The investments announced today will help develop and build sound infrastructure, ultimately helping Missouri communities build back better.”
Wilkens highlighted 21 investments to 19 recipients that USDA is making through three programs that will fund essential community services to help rural Missouri build back better, stronger, and more equitably than ever before. These programs include Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants, Community Facilities Disaster Grants, and Economic Impact Initiative Grants. Listed below is a sampling of how Missouri communities are utilizing these investments (the full list of recipients is linked above):
PRESERVED_BLOCK_0More 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. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program.
Today’s announcements come as part of a larger, nationwide announcement from USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh where she announced $1 billion to improve community infrastructure for people living in 48 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
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.
