USDA
In Eastern Kentucky, USDA Launches Relending Program to Reduce Rural Poverty Nationwide
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today unveiled an innovative partnership with community development organizations from across the country, providing $401 million ofCommunity Facilities program funds to recipients with a track record of successful programs to help reduce poverty in some of the nation's poorest and most isolated rural communities.
USDA Announces Rural Water and Waste Infrastructure Investments
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in 168 projects to improve water and waste infrastructure across the country and in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The investment, totaling $283 million, is made through USDA Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, which provides assistance and financing to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems for communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
USDA Awards Grants to Preserve Affordable Rural Housing
USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today announced grants to preserve and repair affordable housing for very-low- and low-income families living in rural areas
USDA to Help 821 Rural Small Businesses Boost Renewable Energy Use, Save on Energy...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for 821 projects across the nation that will help rural small businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy usage and costs in their operations. The funding is available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and will be used to make energy efficiency improvements and install renewable energy systems.
USDA Honors Wells Fargo as “Champion of Rural Housing”
USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today presented Wells Fargo with a Champion of Rural Housing award as part of USDA’s observance of National Homeownership Month.
USDA Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
USDA officials, bankers and rural Georgia residents today celebrated National Homeownership Month and the 25th anniversary of a landmark USDA program that greatly expanded the availability of home loan financing for rural residents.
On 80th Anniversary of Rural Electrification Act, USDA Invests More Than $200 Million in...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act (REA) and announced funding to build and upgrade rural electric infrastructure in five states.
USDA Lowers Cost to Refinance Rural Housing Loans
USDA Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez today announced a series of changes that will make it faster and cheaper for homeowners to refinance USDA mortgages.
Ahead of Earth Day, USDA Announces Clean Water and Environmental Projects for 60 Rural...
This week, representatives from USDA's Rural Development team will be celebrating Earth Day by visiting newly funded projects that will improve rural water quality and safety in 33 states across the country. USDA is investing $183 million in 60 water and wastewater infrastructure projects through Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program (WEP), which provides technical assistance and financing to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems for communities with fewer than 10,000 residents.
USDA Seeks Applications for Nearly $12 Million in Broadband Grants for Rural Communities
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is soliciting applications for grants to establish broadband in unserved rural communities through its Community Connect program. Community Connect is administered by USDA's Rural Utilities Service and helps to fund broadband deployment into rural communities where it is not economically viable for private sector providers to provide service
USDA Awards Loans to Boost Rural Economic Development in Five States
As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) ongoing efforts to boost opportunity in rural communities, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded six low-interest loans to local governments and community organizations that will spur rural economic development in five states. Secretary Vilsack announced the awards at the Legislative Conference of the National Association of Counties during a seminar with the White House Rural Council.
City of Rainsville awarded $2.8 million from USDA Rural Development for wastewater system improvements
USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah joined Congressman Robert Aderholt in DeKalb County today to announce $2.8 million in federal funding to the city of Rainsville. USDA Rural Development is awarding an $830,000 grant and a $1,970,000 loan to upgrade the city’s sewer system.
USDA Announces $1.3 Million to Improve Housing in Five Tribal Communities
USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Stan Gruszynski today highlighted the Department’s active partnership with Native American tribes in Wisconsin and throughout the nation
USDA Provides $314 Million in Water and Waste Infrastructure Improvements in Rural Communities Nationwide
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced loans and grants for 141 projects to build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities across the nation. "Many rural communities need to upgrade and repair their water and wastewater systems, but often lack the resources to do so," Vilsack said. "These loans and grants will help accomplish this goal. USDA's support for infrastructure improvements is an essential part of building strong rural economies."
USDA Announces $3.7 Million to Repair Rural Housing
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is investing $3.7 million to help rural families repair and rehabilitate their homes. The funds are being awarded through the Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program in 46 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to support the renovation of 1,147 units
USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for November 2015
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for November 2015. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for November is 0.250 percent, down from 0.375 percent in October
USDA Announces $210 Million to be Invested in Renewable Energy Infrastructure through the Biofuel...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists. In May 2015, USDA announced the availability of $100 million in grants through the BIP, and that to apply states and private partners match the federal funding by a 1:1 ratio.
USDA Provides Funding for More Than 1,100 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects Nationwide
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding loans and grants that will help more than 1,100 rural small businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy usage and costs in their operations. The funding is for energy efficiency improvements and/or renewable energy systems. USDA is financing projects in every state, as well as in the Virgin Islands, the Western Pacific and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
USDA Awards Nearly $2.3 Billion in Loans for 77 Rural Electric Infrastructure Projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $2.3 billion in loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 31 states. USDA is awarding loans to 77 utilities and cooperatives in 31 states. The funding includes more than $108 million for smart grid technology
USDA Seeks Applications for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loans and Grants
Agriculture Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today encouraged rural small businesses to apply for loans and grants to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects “Helping rural small businesses save money on energy costs strengthens their bottom line and helps the U.S. become more energy independent,” Mensah said. “It also reduces our country’s carbon footprint, which leads to a cleaner environment and a more secure energy future.”
