USDA grants $285 million in rural schools payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently declared $285 million will go to 41 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico this year in support of local schools and roads as part of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, according to a USDA news release.

This support is part of the administration’s ongoing commitment to rural communities, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The Forest Service’s century-long support of America’s public schools and roads is one of many ways in which USDA helps rural communities remain self-sustaining and prosperous.

The payments from the Forest Service may be used to support public schools and public roads for projects to help maintain and improve the health of forests; and for county projects including Firewise Communities programs, reimbursements for emergency services on national forests and development of community wildfire protection plans.