USDA Rural Development State Director Jeff Case announced today that the USDA is investing over $734,000 in eight (8) projects that will build community infrastructure and provide essential services for over 57,000 rural Missourians.
“The commitment to improving infrastructure and essential services throughout rural America is a priority of this administration,” said Case. “USDA is pleased to partner with each of these entities to improve the quality of life for over 57,000 rural Missourians and we look forward to the growth and prosperity these eight projects will bring to these rural communities.”
USDA is making the investments through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. The funding helps rural areas make infrastructure improvements and provide essential facilities. The eight (8) projects in Missouri are as follows:
- Macon County Economic Development, Inc. will use a $140,200 loan to purchase four replacement and patrol vehicles for the Macon County Sheriff’s Department. The vehicles will serve a population of about 15,600.
- Macon County Economic Development, Inc. is also receiving a $130,000 loan and a $20,000 grant to purchase of eighteen (18) sets of breathing apparatuses for the city’s fire department. The purchase of this equipment will contribute to the safety of the firefighters and assist them in saving lives and property in this truly rural town of about 5,500 residents.
- In Powersville, the York Township Association will use a $115,600 loan and an $80,400 grant to purchase a replacement motor grader that will be leased to York Township of Putnam County. About 230 rural residents will benefit.
- Steele Municipal Improvement Corporation is receiving a $50,000 loan to fund the completion of a fire station. The new station will serve about 2,200 residents in Steele and will include restrooms that are accessible to persons with disabilities, a kitchen, training room, bunk rooms, exercise and equipment rooms. Additional funding includes a $510,000 Rural Development Loan in 2017 and a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant. The applicant contributed $82,000.
- The Stoddard County Development Corporation will use a $41,400 loan and $22,250 grant to purchase two vehicles that will be leased to Stoddard County for use by the juvenile division and tax assessor’s office.
- In Perry, a $33,800 loan and $41,200 is being awarded to the City of Perry Community Organization for the purchase of two utility trucks that will be leased to the city, serving a population of about 700.
- East Prairie Municipal Corporation is receiving a $16,000 loan and a $19,000 grant to purchase a police vehicle to be leased to the City of East Prairie, improving police services to about 3,200 residents.
- In Wyatt, the Wyatt Community Development Corporation will use a $14,100 loan, a $10,825 grant, and a $3,275 Rural Development Economic Impact Initiative grant to purchase fire equipment and related gear. The equipment will improve service to a community of about 300.
Case’s announcement is part of a larger, nationwide announcement from the Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett where she announced the USDA is investing $181 million in 88 projects that will build community infrastructure and provide essential services for 1.1 million rural residents in 27 states. She announced the funding in Wyoming today during a forum co-sponsored by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation.
“Infrastructure is a foundation for quality of life and economic opportunity in small towns across our country,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to building prosperity in rural America through modern infrastructure.”
The projects announced today will help improve the quality of life for 1.1 million rural residents in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally and state-recognized Native American tribes. Applicants and projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Loan amounts have ranged from $10,000 to $165 million.
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Omnibus spending bill increased the budget for the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program to $2.8 billion, up $200 million from FY 2017.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.
