Grants Go to Community Facilities

March 26, 2001

USDA has provided $47.5 million in grants to develop community facilities - including schools, libraries, fire and rescue, public safety, hospitals, clinics, and multipurpose community centers - in rural areas experiencing severe unemployment and economic depression. The community facilities grants are made available through USDA's Rural Housing Service and earmarked for rural communities where the "not employed" rate is greater than 19.5%.

Authorized by Congress, the special grant initiative is administered through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Program. Applications will be considered competitively, with communities having the lowest populations and lowest median incomes given selection priority. Other selection criteria include each project's economic feasibility and the program's goal of distributing program funds throughout all regions of the United States. Selections will be made on a month to month basis.

Applications may be submitted at any time throughout fiscal 2001 until the funds are exhausted. Further information and help in preparing an application are available at any USDA Rural Development office serving your community. Information can also be obtained by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas. USDA Rural Development offices are listed in telephone books under United States Government, Department of Agriculture.