USDA Highlights $40 Million in Infrastructure Investments in Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today highlighted U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA) investments in Fiscal Year 2017 that will help construct or improve infrastructure and boost economic growth in rural communities.
“USDA is focused on improving rural America’s infrastructure,” Perdue said. “Investments such as the ones I’m highlighting today will improve the quality of life, create jobs, grow our economy and foster prosperity in rural areas.”
In Fiscal Year 2017, USDA used funding from the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program to invest more than $ 40 million in 31 projects to repair, enhance or build infrastructure. These investments were for projects such as surface transportation, aviation, ports, water and storm water resources, energy production and generation, and electricity transmission. They will benefit nearly 265,000 residents.
The investments are supporting projects in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont and Wyoming.
Below are some examples of infrastructure projects that Rural Development funded in FY 2017:
Alabama: The Grand Bay Water Works Board, Inc. received $ 80,000 to install a new 125 KW diesel generator and automatic transfer switch at the water office building and two diesel standby power units which are located at a well treatment facility site.
Florida: The city of Wauchula received $ 279,546 to purchase a side arm sanitation truck and 1,500 sanitation bins for the city. The new truck replaces three older ones that are unreliable and costly to repair. Replacement of this equipment will improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Georgia: The city of Ellaville received $ 39,000 to purchase three vehicles for Ellaville’s Public Works Department. The new trucks will replace high mileage, older vehicles to pro- vide better and more efficient services to citizens.
Kentucky: The city of Hazard received $ 200,000 to renovate an old downtown bus station to enhance economic development in the area.
North Carolina: The town of Elizabethtown received a $ 1.6 million loan to implement Phase II of the downtown revitalization project. The city will bury overhead utilities, install street lighting at 33 locations, and improve the landscaping and replace sidewalks along Broad Street, just west of the central business district. This project will help increase the quality of life for residents by enhancing walkability and potentially attracting new businesses downtown.
Oklahoma: The Stigler Municipal Improvement Authority received $ 1,000,000 to install water and sewer infrastructure and complete parking and sidewalk work for a new critical access hospital to be constructed as a public- private partnership.
Tennessee: The city of Sweetwater received $ 477,700 to help construct an administration building and a warehouse for storage of materials. The administration building will house the gas, electric, sewer and water departments and serve as a location for customers to pay their bills.
Texas: Somerset in Bexar County received a $ 1.28 million loan to resurface cracking and degraded roadways, reduce sediment build- up along the roads and improve drainage. Ponding on the existing surface creates a dangerous loss of traction when it rains. In addition to serving residential, commercial, educational and agricultural uses, Somerset’s roads provide key access for emergency vehicles. The USDA loan will create safer travel conditions for Somerset’s residents and emergency responders.
Virginia: The town of Farmville received $ 94,000 to purchase a Flail Mower Boom Tractor to clear right of way banks and ditch lines.
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. For more information, visit rd. usda. gov.