The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $981 million through 242 awards in eight programs to create economic opportunities in rural areas.
The investment will “expand essential services for rural people, businesses and entrepreneurs in 47 states, Guam and the Virgin Islands,” according to a Dec. 6 USDA news release.
“Rural people provide the everyday essentials our country depends on,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is dedicated to helping people through job creation and expansion of entrepreneurial opportunities in the rural places they live. The partnerships we’re announcing today demonstrate USDA’s commitment to advocating for rural business owners and building brighter futures for everyone in rural America.”
Programs the USDA uses to implement the awards, according to the release, are the Biofuel Producer Relief Payments Program, Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program, the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grants program, the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program and the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees.
One of the projects benefiting from the investment is the West Dallas Water Authority in Selma, Ala., which will use a $788,000 grant through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees program and a $268,000 loan to improve the water system, the release reported. The upgrades will benefit 69 homes and one church, so residents no longer rely on individual water wells. Fire hydrants also will be installed.
“This project will benefit 3,488 rural residents in Dallas County,” the release said.
