Communities across the country stand to benefit from Tuesday’s announcement of Agriculture Department funding aimed at improving the infrastructure and business climate in rural areas.
USDA announced $981 million through eight programs: the Biofuel Producer Relief Payments Program, Business and Industry (B&I) 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.
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said the investments “demonstrate USDA’s commitment to advocating for rural business owners and building brighter futures for everyone in rural America.”
A wide variety of projects are receiving assistance, including 10 $25 million loans through B&I Loan Guarantees; three other loans topped $24 million.
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According to USDA, the eight programs will fund 242 awards: 122 B&I Loan Guarantees; 62 Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program projects; 28 Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program projects; 20 Rural Cooperative Development grants; three announcements each for the Biofuel Producer Relief Payments Program and the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program; and two each for the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grants program and Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees.
All told, 47 states, Guam and the Virgin Islands will receive funding through the announcement.
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