Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Support to Community Centers, Public Safety and Health Care Facilities

Press Release

Recovery Act Funds Helping Rural Communities Across the Country

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced 280 investments in 44 states, Guam and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that will create jobs and improve rural communities across the nation.

"These projects not only provide needed infrastructure in rural communities, they contribute to the Obama administration's continued efforts to create quality jobs," Vilsack said. "Many of the projects announced today are being funded through the Recovery Act, which is helping to restore the American economy while improving the quality of life in towns and small cities throughout the country."

USDA is assisting rural communities by providing funding to healthcare facilities. The Corcoran District Hospital in Corcoran, Calif., has been selected to receive a $12 million loan to construct a single story, 17,000-square foot outpatient center. The Corcoran District Hospital is an acute care hospital located in the southern portion of Kings County. When completed, the outpatient center will provide ambulatory surgery and imaging services to the 14,000 residents of this rural community.

In southeastern Arkansas, the city of Lake Village in Chicot County has been selected to receive a $590,000 loan and a $250,000 grant to restore a historic building in the downtown area that will serve as the city hall and will include the latest in energy efficiency standards. The city will be able to provide more efficient services to rural residents after the completion of the project. In addition, the city of Lake Village has been selected to receive a $100,000 grant to construct a new farmer's market pavilion. The new facility will provide more accessibility to vendors and greater local food options for local rural residents.

The $499 million being announced today are funded through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program. Today's announcement includes more than $172.1 million in Recovery Act funding that will be matched with $65.2 million from other sources.

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. Please click here for a complete list of projects.

USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Program helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include child care centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted-living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through this program, USDA ensures that such facilities are available to all rural residents. These funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes. More information about USDA Rural Development can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of 6,100 employees located in 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.

Source