The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that it will allocate more than $770 million for rural infrastructure projects. This funding is expected to provide high-speed internet and clean drinking water for over one million people residing in rural communities.

This financial support will be distributed across 216 projects, benefiting communities in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Secretary Vilsack commented on the initiative, saying, "President Biden's Investing in America agenda is transforming our country for the better – reaching communities in every corner of the United States, including those that have too often been left behind." He added, "The investments I'm announcing today will help us build our economy from the middle out and bottom up by bringing high-speed internet, clean water, modern infrastructure and good-paying jobs to communities in rural areas."

Many of these projects were made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, as revealed by Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. A significant portion of this investment - $644.2 million - will be directed towards sanitizing rural drinking water and improving wastewater infrastructure in 158 rural communities. According to Vilsack, this investment will enhance the quality of drinking water for approximately 913,000 individuals living in rural areas.

In addition to this initiative, the Department plans to invest through the Solid Waste Management Grants Program. This program aims to provide technical assistance and training to improve solid waste facilities. A report published by the USDA in 2023 highlighted a growing population trend in rural areas following a decade of overall population loss. The USDA Rural Development provides loans intended to expand economic opportunities and create job opportunities within these regions.

Finally, $51.7 million will be invested through the Reconnect Program and Broadband Technical Assistance Program with an aim to expand high-speed internet access for Americans living in rural communities. As part of this initiative, 24 organizations are set to deliver technical assistance across 17 states with $9.7 million in funding opportunities.