The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment aimed at enhancing rural infrastructure and job creation across 44 states. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack revealed that $6.3 billion will be allocated to rural and Tribal communities to improve access to clean energy, safe drinking water, and create employment opportunities.

Secretary Vilsack stated, "The Biden-Harris Administration invests in rural America because we know strong communities are rooted in their people." He emphasized that these investments are intended to modernize infrastructure, attract employers, and stimulate economic growth in smaller towns and remote areas.

Over 200 projects will receive financing to bolster the nation's infrastructure in rural regions, contributing to economic development from the grassroots level.

In terms of energy improvements, USDA is channeling $5.7 billion through the Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. This funding aims to assist utility providers and electric cooperatives in constructing and upgrading electric infrastructure along with smart-grid technologies across 23 states. For instance, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Virginia was granted $293 million for line construction benefiting over 11,000 consumers. Similarly, Carroll Electric Cooperative Corporation in Arkansas received $432 million for similar enhancements affecting more than 10,000 consumers.

States benefiting from this initiative include Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia Wisconsin.

Additionally USDA is dedicating nearly $642 million towards improving water infrastructure through programs like Water Waste Disposal Loans Grants Solid Waste Management Grants The goal is expanding access reliable drinking water sanitary waste disposal storm drainage systems across 41 states Rock Rapids Municipal Utilities Iowa received $25 million wastewater treatment facility upgrade Rural Action Inc secured $122000 recycling composting initiatives impacting over 150000 residents Ohio West Virginia

Funding under these programs extends benefits to Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin

Under the Biden-Harris Administration USDA Rural Development offers loans grants fostering economic opportunities job creation quality life improvements millions Americans rural areas This support includes infrastructure business development housing community facilities such as schools public safety healthcare high-speed internet access Visit Rural Data Gateway learn where investments impact America More information available www.rd.usda.gov

USDA's role touches lives daily focusing on resilient local regional food production fair markets safe nutritious food new income streams climate-smart practices historic investments equity commitment Learn more www.usda.gov Subscribe updates GovDelivery subscriber page