President Biden Announces Over $5 Billion to Support Rural Communities During ‘Investing in America’ Event Series
Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that USDA is providing $1.1 billion in loans and grants to upgrade rural infrastructure throughout the country, and $145 million to help rural business owners and ag producers lower energy costs, generate income and expand operations. Regional funding includes a $6,447,000 grant and $14,999,000 loan to the Lower Bartlett Water Precinct (LBWP) in East Bartlett, New Hampshire, through USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program, and $3,262,511 to Vermont and New Hampshire businesses through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
The investments are part of President Biden’s ‘Investing in America’ agenda, which ensures rural Americans do not have to leave their hometowns to find opportunity.
The Agency is also investing $145 million in 697 renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects across the U.S., including 12 in Vermont ($1,296,000) and 15 in New Hampshire ($1,966,511).
“Congratulations to the municipal leaders and rural residents of the Lower Bartlett Water Precinct,” said Sarah Waring, State Director of USDA Rural Development in Vermont and New Hampshire. “They put their combined strength into making this essential infrastructure a welcome reality. We celebrate their proactive yet patient approach to modernizing their community, defined by wise economic policy and sound environmental practice, and resulting in transformative funding through USDA Rural Development. This project is a true team effort, and the impacted residents will appreciate its benefits for decades to come. And to the business owners, farmers and producers who invested in their futures, and ours, with renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects, we applaud your sustainable, climate-smart approach to growing your operations. Today’s announcement of $5 billion in national funding underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing and consistent commitment to rural America, focused on improving the lives of our neighbors who need our help the most.”
USDA is making 104 investments in 40 states that will help expand, upgrade and modernize infrastructure in rural areas, such as water and wastewater treatment systems. In Carroll County, the LBWP will expand individual septic units into to a sewer collection system for the highest impact area of their service region, roughly 588 people.
The critical project will help prevent pollution and provide affordable housing options in the area.
Background: Investing in America
Today’s investments advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the American economy from the middle out and bottom up by rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, driving more than $500 billion in private sector manufacturing investments, creating good-
paying jobs and building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make communities more resilient.
The Investing in America agenda is using funding provided through bipartisan legislation to rebuild roads and bridges, replace lead pipes to provide clean water, expand access to high-speed internet, address legacy pollution and more. The Biden-Harris Administration has announced more than $220 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and more than 32,000 infrastructure projects and awards across 4,500 communities; started more than 4,600 bridge repair and replacement projects; and awarded funds for more than 3,000 new clean transit buses.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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Source: WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2023 – The US Department of Agriculture