Business View Civil & Municipal l November 2022

5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 O p e n i n g L i n e s USDA INVESTS $1 BILLION TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE OF AMERICAN RURAL TOWNS U SDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh has announced that USDA is investing $1 billion to build and improve critical community facilities in 48 states, Puerto Rico and Guam. This infrastructure funding will increase access to health care, education and public safety while spurring community development and building sound infrastructure for people living in rural communities. “These loans and grants will help rural communities invest in facilities and services that are vital to all communities, such as health care facilities, schools, libraries, and first responder vehicles and equipment,” Bronaugh said. “When we invest in essential services in rural America, we build opportunity and prosperity for the people who call rural communities home.” Bronaugh highlighted 731 projects that USDA is making in five programs that will fund essential community services to help rural America build back better, stronger and more equitably than ever before. These programs include Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities