USDA Invests $24,500 to Purchase Critical Public Safety Equipment in Rural Missouri

May 15, 2023

USDA Invests $24,500 to Purchase Critical Public Safety Equipment in Rural Missouri

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Missouri Kyle Wilkens today announced $24,500 in grant funding through USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program.

“Every investment that we make here at Rural Development impacts the growth and economic sustainability of our great state’s rural communities,” Wilkens said. “USDA strives to meet the unique needs of every rural town and city – and no two communities are alike. As long as we can continue to be a part of the investment to address those needs, we are one step closer to building a stronger and more resilient rural Missouri and America.”

With a population of just over 3,200 residents, the city ‘defined less by boundaries on a map than by the sense of shared values [their] residents hold dear, were having maintenance issues with their existing fleet of law enforcement vehicles due to high mileage. Thanks to a partnership with USDA and grant financing through the Community Facilities program, the city was able to purchase four new vehicles that will to ensure local law enforcement is able to continue to providing efficient public safety services while also keeping law enforcement providers safe enroute.

This investment reflects the many ways that USDA Rural Development’s programs can help rural areas address the unique needs of their individual and surrounding communities to help rural America build back better.

Background

USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program helps residents in rural areas build or improve essential community infrastructure and purchase or replace equipment needed for essential community services.

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.

To learn more about Community Facilities Program funding opportunities, contact your local USDA Rural Development office. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process.

Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, Tribal and high-poverty areas.

Contact USDA Rural Development

Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo, by calling (573) 876-0976, or by emailing RDMissouri@usda.gov. Stay current by following @RD_Missouri on Twitter.

USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Build Community-Oriented High-Speed Internet Networks for People in Rural Areas

May 2, 2023

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Build Community-Oriented High-Speed Internet Networks for People in Rural Areas

USDA is accepting applications for grants to build community-oriented, high-speed internet networks for people in rural areas.

The Department is making up to $79 million in grants available under the Community Connect program. Recipients may use the funds to establish high-speed internet networks that will foster economic growth and deliver enhanced educational, health care and public safety benefits.

Eligible applicants:

State and local governments
Federally recognized Tribes
Nonprofits
For-profit corporations and limited liability companies.

USDA does not provide funding directly to individuals under this program.

If you need assistance with an application or a question, please contact Telecommunications Field Staff Branch Chief

Christopher Collins at: chris.collins@usda.gov

(573) 208-0574

View the full announcement here.

View the Funding Opportunity Announcement

Apply here

USDA Seeks Applications for Technical Assistance Grants – Expand Access to Safe, Affordable and Equitable Housing for People in Rural America

May 9, 2023

USDA Seeks Applications for Technical Assistance Grants – Expand Access to Safe, Affordable and Equitable Housing for People in Rural America

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, has announced that the Department is accepting applications for technical assistance grants to preserve rental housing and expand access to safe, affordable and equitable housing for people in rural America.

USDA is making available $7.9 million in funding through its Rural Housing Service (RHS) and through two Multifamily Housing (MFH) Technical Assistance grant programs: the Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance (NP TA) Grant Program and the Off-Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance (Off-FLH TA) Grant Program. This funding is available for eligible technical assistance providers seeking grants to provide technical assistance services to qualified applicants.

There is $6.9 million in grants available through the NP TA Grant Program. The program awards grants to eligible nonprofit organizations and public housing authorities (PHAs) to provide technical assistance and other services to enable affordable housing preservation through the transfer of MFH Direct Loan properties from current owners to nonprofits or PHAs.

Eligible grantees:

Public and private nonprofit organizations
Public Health Agencies (PHAs)
Tribal housing nonprofits
Tribally designated housing entities.

Another $1 million in grants will be available for eligible nonprofits through the Off-FLH TA Grant Program. This program awards grants to nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance to applicants for Off-FLH loans and grants. These grants are used to increase the availability of affordable, decent housing for farm laborers.

Available funding amounts for the technical assistance programs may also be found here.

Minimum Award amounts:

Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance – $100,000
Off-Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance – $500,000

Maximum award amounts:

Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance – $500,000
Off-Farm Housing Technical Assistance – $250,000

Deadline to submit applications: July 3, 2023, Noon ET

For additional information see page 28469 of the Federal Register

To learn more, read full Stakeholder Announcement.

General questions should be directed to:

Stephanie Vergin, Policy Advisor

Production and Preservation Division

Multi-Family Housing

United States Department of Agriculture

NPTA.RFP@usda.gov or

RD.FLHTA@usda.gov

USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series Starts in May

May 2, 2023

USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series Starts in May

You’re invited to the USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series taking place on Tuesdays starting May 9 through June 6, 2023 from 2:00-3:30pm ET. The workshop series convenes farmers and ranchers, faith leaders, rural health providers, USDA employees, and Federal, state, and university partners to dialogue and discuss mental health challenges, stressors, and the resources and services available to address them. Click here and see below for more information and to register.

Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention: Data, Challenges, and Opportunities co-hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation
Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

This session provides context for the issue of farm stress and suicide by focusing on available data, challenges, and opportunities for farm stress researchers, practitioners, and service providers. Panelists include the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Aid, and others to discuss the state of the field and offer insights into their respective partner programs, resources, and emergent needs.

Veteran’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Workshop
Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

Rural Veterans experience a significantly increased risk of suicide. In this workshop, you will learn how to act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Rural Mental Health Matters: Challenges, Opportunities & Resources for Communities cohosted by the National Association of Behavioral Health and Development Disability Directors
Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

This session focuses on the resources and tools that are available in rural places, where over 60% of Americans live in mental health provider shortage areas. Speakers will examine current programs focused on giving rural and frontier communities the tools they need to thrive through creative problem solving. With perspectives rooted in rural services, behavioral health, and technology, the presentations and follow-on conversation will explore the importance of increasing the efficiency of providers in rural areas and other solutions, to challenges that rural communities face to ensure community wellbeing and economic prosperity.

Farm Stress and Suicide: Faith, Place, and Community Health
Tuesday, May 30, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

This session provides an overview of the USDA Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and highlights the challenges faced by many Americans during Mental Health Awareness Month. A training on farm stress, health and wellbeing will be provided by The Well Church Initiative of Texas A&M Extension, to discuss and highlight tools and resources available to faith and community-based organizations as they support their congregants and communities.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health in Rural Communities
Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
Register

This session will focus on the lived experienced of LGBTQ+ identifying folks in rural communities across the country. Discussion and dialogue will focus on mental health, the relationship to stress, and more.

These meetings will be conducted virtually using Zoom.gov. A link to the workshop will be provided upon registration; please contact center@usda.gov with any questions.

USDA Unveils Resource Guide to Help Rural Colleges and Universities Identify Resources to Improve Facilities and Educational Opportunities for Students

April 11, 2023

USDA Unveils Resource Guide to Help Rural Colleges and Universities Identify Resources to Improve Facilities and Educational Opportunities for Students

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a resource guide to help colleges and universities in rural areas find low-interest loans and grants to build or improve their facilities, infrastructure, equipment and educational programs.

The resource guide outlines loan and grant programs that are available to eligible colleges and universities. These programs can be used to advance community and economic development through three USDA Rural Development program areas:

Community Programs
Rural business-Cooperative Service Programs
Rural Utilities Service Programs

These programs can be used to:

Help finance distance learning technologies to assist student’s access to remote learning opportunities
Help students and teachers access high-speed internet
Help universities and colleges make improvements to their campus and facilities
Click here for additional resources, forms and program information

Click here for resource guide

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Socially Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers and Business Owners in Rural

March 21, 2023

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Socially Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers and Business Owners in Rural

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for grants to support technical assistance for socially disadvantaged agricultural producers and rural business owners.

USDA is making available up to $3 million in Fiscal Year 2023 through the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program. The maximum amount an individual applicant may receive is $175,000.

The Department is making the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants available to organizations that will provide any technical assistance for the development of cooperatives or the formation of new cooperatives. Technical assistance includes leadership training, and developing feasibility studies, business plans and/or strategic plans. The grants are not provided directly to businesses or individuals.

USDA defines a socially disadvantaged group as one whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as a member of that group without regard to their individual qualities. Applicants may be based in any area, but the groups they serve must be located in an eligible rural area.

The Department is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to create more and better market opportunities and improved infrastructure, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding for projects seeking to address these critical challenges in rural America.

Electronic applications will be accepted via Grants.gov until 4:30 p.m. local time on May 16, 2023.

For additional information, see page 16404 of the March 17, 2023, Federal Register.

Contact your local USDA Rural Development State Office to discuss potential projects and ask questions about the application process. You may also visit www.rd.usda.gov/mo, call (573) 876-0976, or email RDMissouri@usda.gov.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates in Missouri, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page and follow @RD_Missouri on Twitter.

Contact the Business Program that serves your county

USDA Makes $31 Million in Grants Available to Help Farmers and Ranchers Add More Value to Their Products to Access New and Better Markets

March 21, 2023

USDA Makes $31 Million in Grants Available to Help Farmers and Ranchers Add More Value to Their Products to Access New and Better Markets

USDA is making $31 million in grants available to help farmers and ranchers access new and better markets by adding more value to their products.

USDA is making the grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grants program. The grants help agricultural producers generate new products, create marketing opportunities and increase their incomes through value-added activities.

USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help rural communities and people address climate change and environmental justice, advance racial justice, place-based equity, and opportunity, and create more and better market opportunities.

Eligible applicants include independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

Funding priority will be given to beginning farmers or ranchers who are military veterans or socially disadvantaged individuals; small and mid-sized family farms or ranches; and farmer or rancher cooperatives. Priority also will be given to projects that propose a mid-tier value chain by developing a supply network that moves agricultural products from production through consumption in a local or regional market.

The funding may be used for planning activities or working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Planning activities may include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans. Working capital expenses may include costs associated with processing, marketing, advertising, inventory and salaries.

The maximum award for a planning grant is $75,000. The maximum award for a working capital grant is $250,000.

Electronic applications will be accepted via Grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2023. Paper applications must be sent to the State Office where the project is proposed.

Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed or sent overnight by May 16, 2023. Applications also may be delivered in person or emailed to a local RD field office by close of business May 16, 2023.

Additional information is available on page 16396 of the March 17 Federal Register or by contacting your local USDA Rural Development office.

For assistance with an application or to learn more about Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mo, call (573) 876-0976, or email RDMissouri@usda.gov.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates in Missouri, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page. You can also stay current by following @RD_Missouri on Twitter.

More USDA State Contacts:

Business & Cooperative Programs

Nathan Tutt

Phone (573) 876-9327

Email: Nathan.tutt@usda.gov

Local USDA Offices:

To locate the office nearest you, please refer to the map of USDA Rural Development Missouri offices.

Category: USDA