The United States Department of Agriculture is investing $871 million to improve critical community facilities in 43 states– including South Dakota– and Guam.
USDA is funding 256 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. These investments will benefit 3.5 million rural residents and can be used for things such as building or upgrading schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities.
Among the recipients in South Dakota are the City of Bowdle and the Mobridge Regional Hospital.
Bowdle’s $255,000 loan will be used to finance improvements to the town’s road infrastructure. Bowdle will replace three blocks of street surface along Main Street. These improvements will help alleviate road breakup due to heavy traffic and will provide improved traffic flow for local residents and agricultural producers as the road is a main route to the local elevator. Local and state funds will be used in conjunction with USDA Rural Development funding in order to accomplish the enhancements and provide a more unified sewer collection system for this rural community.
The Mobridge Regional Hospital’s $30,074,000 loan will be used to renovate and expand their facility in order to enhance patient care, improve employee workflow and optimize operational efficiency. Local funds will be used in conjunction with a USDA Rural Development Direct loan of $30,074,000 and a Rural Development Guaranteed loan of $7,518,000.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details.
Along with South Dakota, other states receiving funds are: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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