Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on May 14, 2024, that the USDA is funding 47 projects in 23 states to improve access to reliable electricity and clean drinking water for over one million people. This initiative is also expected to create numerous jobs across the nation. The announcement was made during President Biden's Infrastructure Week, which showcases the progress made by the Biden-Harris Administration in enhancing American infrastructure through historic funding packages such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
These investments further President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a significant component of his economic strategy, aimed at growing the American economy from the middle out and bottom up.
The announcement was made at the White House's Community in Action: Building a Better America event. During this event, Secretary Vilsack also announced the availability of $1 million in grants through USDA's Rural Community Development Initiative. These grants will assist organizations in helping Puerto Rico Rural Partners Network communities access critical funding for recovery from Presidential declared disasters. This announcement coincides with the Two-Year Anniversary of the Rural Partners Network, which has facilitated nearly $2.8 billion in investments across 36 community networks in 10 states and Puerto Rico.
Secretary Vilsack stated, “When USDA invests in rural communities, we are supporting hard work that sends a ripple effect across our country.” He emphasized that these investments would build a more resilient power grid and ensure safe drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people living and working in rural areas. He further affirmed that these investments demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to ensuring opportunities for success for those living and working in rural areas.
The USDA is investing $671 million to support projects that will lower electric bills for rural families and businesses while ensuring access to clean water. Through projects financed by USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loans, Grants and Loan Guarantees, state and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized Tribes will be assisted in building and improving rural wastewater systems.
The funding will enable rural communities to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal, and storm water drainage. For instance, the village of Champlain in New York will use funding to replace its water main, thereby expanding access to clean water for its residents. Similarly, the village of Hyannis in Nebraska will use funding to replace aging infrastructure which will promote water conservation practices and improve water quality for nearly 150 residents.
Funding through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program will also help utility providers and electric cooperatives build and improve electric infrastructure, smart-grid technologies, and renewable energy systems. For example, Caney Fork Electric Cooperative will use funding to connect nearly 3,000 consumers and build and improve 253 miles of power lines. Rosebud Electric Cooperative will similarly use funding to connect more than 400 people and build and improve 225 miles of power lines.
The funding announced today will benefit people living in Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota,Tennessee,Texas,Washington,and West Virginia.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration's leadership USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants that expand economic opportunities by creating jobs and improving the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools public safety healthcare; high-speed internet access in rural Tribal high-poverty areas. For more information visit www.rd.usda.gov.
