By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
Nearly 400 projects were funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in fiscal year 2017, according to an agency news release.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced USDA supplied $1.5 billion to rural areas through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.
“Partnering with our small towns and cities to support essential services that rural residents need is one way USDA is facilitating prosperity in rural America,” Perdue said. “USDA’s investments will help communities significantly improve their schools, hospitals and public safety facilities and improve the quality of life.”
The funds were directed to projects focusing on schools, libraries, municipal centers, first responder vehicles and equipment, social service buildings, recreational activities and other community needs. More than 7 million rural residents were impacted by the investments.
The USDA highlighted several projects financed during fiscal year 2017, including one in Texas. NCCD—West Hills Properties LLC in Austin received $33 million as a loan to build a 464-bed dormitory on the Blinn College Brenham campus. The building will be used to house full-time students who are studying engineering and agriculture
In all, 44 of the 50 states received funds from the agency.
In April 2017, President Donald Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity, which was tasked with identifying legislative regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. Perdue presented 31 recommendations from the task force’s findings that would take advantage of opportunities that already exist in America. Click here to view the full report.