Rural communities

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 12, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that 111 projects in 35 states have been selected to receive more than $34.9 million in grants to increase educational opportunities and expand access to health care services in rural areas. The funding will be provided through USDA Rural Development's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.

Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager made the announcement on behalf of Vilsack while attending the annual meeting of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting in Kansas City, Mo.    » read more »

12 November 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the nine months since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law, rural communities across the country have found the federal bureaucracy is a serious obstacle to their receiving funding. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick is fighting to address this challenge and ensure the Recovery Act works as effectively as possible for our small towns. She is leading a national group of Members of Congress in sending a letter to Vice-President Joe Biden today, asking him to explain what is being done to assist rural America.    » read more »

Agencies Plan to Consolidate Final Two Funding Rounds, Seek Comment on Program Enhancements

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2009 - The USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced they are streamlining the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's broadband grant and loan programs by awarding the remaining funding in just one more round, instead of two rounds, to increase efficiency and better accommodate applicants.    » read more »

Recovery Act Funds Will Help Improve Infrastructure in Rural Areas of nine States

WASHINGTON, November 3, 2009 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of $16.4 million in water and environmental project loans and grants that are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities in nine states. Altogether, USDA has announced nearly $1.8 billion for water and environmental project loans and grants, benefiting people throughout the country.    » read more »

Senator applauds extension of access, continues work on permanent fix

October 19, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today announced that a bill to preserve access to medical supplies for seniors in rural areas was signed into law by the President.

Tester championed the measure in the Senate to postpone new regulations on the sale of medical supplies by community pharmacies.

Without the extension, community pharmacies would have been required to be accredited before selling certain medical supplies. These supplies include wheelchairs, walkers, canes, diabetes testing strips and prosthetics.    » read more »

Vilsack Announces $30 Million for 36 Community Facility Projects in 22 States

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA is providing $30 million for 36 community facilities projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, many of which are for healthcare facilities.

To date, USDA has announced more than $335 million in Recovery Act funding for community facilities projects. Altogether, the Department has provided more than $94 million in Recovery Act loans and grants for 146 healthcare projects across the country.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a $100,000 grant for the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Area to establish lending programs for household water wells in rural Southwest Georgia. The grant will be funded through the USDA’s Household Water Well System Grant Program.

“This program provides financial assistance to rural residents who need to drill water wells,” Bishop said. “Because many rural residents do not live in areas where a centralized water system is feasible, this program helps meet a basic human need – access to clean, safe drinking water.”    » read more »

Millions in Federal Funds Used to Enhance Coverage to Macoupin County

SPRINGFIELD – October 7, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today commended U.S. Cellular for bringing improved cellular phone service to the people of Macoupin County. Governor Quinn’s visit comes after U.S. Cellular activated five additional service towers in the area by the end of 2009.

“Cell phone service is a fundamental necessity for personal and public safety as well as economic growth.” said Governor Quinn. “The people of Macoupin County have lacked adequate cellular service for years but, thankfully, they can now stay better connected to the people they care about most.”    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Hailing it as a victory for seniors in rural America, Senator Jon Tester announced that the Senate passed a measure to preserve access to medical supplies.

Tester championed a Senate measure that postpones new regulations on the sale of medical supplies by community pharmacies.

Without the measure, community pharmacies would have to be accredited in order to sell certain medical supplies, including wheelchairs, walkers, canes, diabetes testing strips, and prosthetics. In rural communities, the local pharmacy is often the only option for seniors to purchase such health care supplies.    » read more »

Secretary Sebelius Releases New Success Story Report

October 1, 2009 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a report on how health information technology can improve health care for Americans living in rural communities. The report examines how the Columbia Basin Health Association in Othello, Wash., uses health information technology to improve health care quality and patient safety as well as promote care coordination and continuity. The complete report is available now at www.healthreform.gov.    » read more »

Investments Will Benefit Nearly 113,000 Rural Customers in 33 States

LAS CRUCES, N.M., Sept. 30, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 58 rural utilities and cooperatives in 33 states have been selected to receive $2.4 billion in loans and loan guarantees to build and repair over 12,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines and make system improvements that will benefit almost 113,000 rural customers.

Vilsack made the announcement during a Rural Tour stop in Las Cruces, N.M., as part of the Obama Administration's effort to develop infrastructure and build the economy of rural communities.    » read more »

Announces Rural Health and Education Grants to Help Elderly Living in Rural Areas

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced more than $1.5 million in grants to support the Rural Health and Safety Education Program, which helps rural families cope with aging, eldercare and caregiving, and rural healthcare. Vilsack also today noted the healthcare disparity that exists for those who live in rural America.    » read more »

Nearly 2,200 Diverse Applications Submitted for Share of $4 Billion in Funding to Expand Broadband Access and Adoption

WASHINGTON, August 27, 2009 - The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced today that they received almost 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects reaching all 50 U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia.    » read more »

Casey announces funding available to expand broadband availability to communities with limited access; sends letter requesting funding workshop in Pennsylvania

July 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced an open application period for communities to apply for funding to help expand broadband access. Communities can apply for a portion of the $7.2 billion to expand access to broadband services included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“These grants and loans help individuals in communities with limited internet capabilities access the information many of us take for granted,” said Senator Casey. “I encourage communities from all over Pennsylvania to apply for this very important funding.”    » read more »

Grants Awarded To 39 Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities and Rural Economic Area Partnerships

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of recipients for $6.45 million in grants to spur economic development and revitalization in rural communities.

"The funding announced today will be used for a broad range of economic development and revitalization projects in some of America's neediest communities," Vilsack said. "These investments underscore the Obama Administration's commitment to foster a healthy business climate by helping small and emerging rural enterprises create jobs and economic opportunities."    » read more »