Rural Development Gets $75 In Grants From Usda
The U.S. Department of griculture (USDA) has announced more than $75 million for economic development, energy and infrastructure projects to help spur investment and create new jobs in rural communities throughout the United States.
The 231 Rural Business-Cooperative Service Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development grants in 43 states of over $37 million will fund a variety of agricultural ventures such as renewable energy, agri-marketing, high-value products from major crops and commodities.
Thirty-five projects costing more than $7.2 million will foster development of alternative energy sources.
Recipients are required to obtain matching funds which will double the impact of the USDA grants.Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.
The Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants will fund 71 recipients totaling more than $27 million for education and medical service in 33 states. The award of these grants will bring to rural communities access to better, faster and more modern health care, and students in rural areas will receive better equipment and learning tools and access to courses that would otherwise be unavailable.
The grants help invest in infrastructure projects that assist rural communities with communications and medical services.
The Rural Housing Service Community Facilities Program’s Rural Community Development Initiative will fund 41 proposals in 22 states and the District of Columbia totaling nearly $12 million. Grants will help private and nonprofit community-based development organizations and low-income communities improve their ability to develop rural housing and community facilities.
These projects will help create jobs and economic investment in rural areas through direct investment and housing availability.
Recipients are required to obtain matching funds which will double the impact of the USDA grants. Funding of individual recipients will be contingent upon meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.
“These grant programs are important to helping America’s rural communities thrive and prosper,” said Undersecretary for Rural Development Tom Dorr. “Investing in our hospitals and schools, as well as providing housing development for low income communities, helps families, creates new jobs and provides real investments in these rural areas.” The following is a complete list of selected project dollars by state:
Alabama – $733,262
Alaska – $1,096,223
Arizona – $1,010,822
Arkansas – $827,779
California – $4,911,267
Colorado – $1,731,796
Connecticut – $12,500
Delaware – $425,000
Florida – $629,070
Georgia – $1,724,450
Hawaii – $338,195
Idaho – $1,338,835
Illinois – $1,944,650
Indiana – $68,500
Iowa – $6,335,224
Kansas – $2,315,655
Kentucky – $966,072
Louisiana – $140,322
Maine – $2,420,649
Maryland – $843,104
Massachusetts – $1,110,000
Michigan – $1,781,216
Minnesota – $2,376,670
Mississippi – $1,523,441
Missouri – $3,384,307
Montana – $1,893,023
Nebraska – $3,043,800
New Jersey – $390,200
New York – $3,523,393
North Carolina – $79,618
North Dakota-$1,789,800
Ohio – $2,416,048
Oklahoma – $2,438,402
Oregon – $1,449,857
Pennsylvania – $2,770,788
Puerto Rico – $320,000
South Carolina – $760,000
South Dakota – $1,185,000
Tennessee – $1,918,774
Texas – $3,643,080
Utah – $742,322
Vermont – $780,469
Virginia – $1,481,749
Washington-$2,635,179
West Virginia – $369,170
Wisconsin – $1,249,912
Wyoming – $90,000
New Mexico – $552,526
District of Columbia – $1,400,000