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U.S. Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. The USDA's vision is to expand economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production sustainability that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve and conserve our Nation's natural resources through restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.
Housing Assistance
USDA provides homeownership opportunities to rural Americans, and home renovation and repair programs. USDA also provides financing to elderly, disabled, or low-income rural residents in multi-unit housing complexes to ensure that they are able to make rent payments.
Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program
Rural Development | August 10, 2020 | Up to $175,000
USDA is making $3 million in grants available under the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant program. Eligible applicants include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives and cooperative development centers. The grants are intended to help disadvantaged groups develop the capacity to implement plans and undertake projects to improve economic and social conditions.
Economic Development and Business Support
Many rural areas suffer from persistent poverty and through the USDA's Business and Cooperatives Program, rural small businesses in 700 persistent poverty counties across the nation are given the financial tools to develop and succeed. The Department is also working on regional community development strategies, providing resources and facilitating cooperation between federal, state and private agencies to leverage economic investment in rural areas.
Infrastructure Investment
The USDA's Rural Utilities Service provides critical infrastructure investments to help rural communities thrive. Whether it's water or wastewater, or broadband and telecommunications connectivity, or rural electrification, the Service helps the nation's rural communities build the foundation for long-term growth, including supporting more than 5,500 distance learning and telemedicine projects, improving the availability and quality of health care and education in rural America.
Additional reentry and justice-related funding from the Department of Agriculture can be found in Grants.gov.