Michigan Ag Connection - USDA Invests in Community Facilities for Northern Michigan

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USDA Invests in Community Facilities for Northern Michigan
Michigan Ag Connection - 11/19/2019

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald "DJ" LaVoy Monday announced that USDA is investing $394 million to improve critical community facilities in 28 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. USDA is making the investments through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.

"Modern facilities for essential services such as schools, first responders, hospitals and health clinics are the bedrock to healthy and prosperous communities," LaVoy said. "Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in building and modernizing facilities and creating jobs and educational opportunities, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives."

Michigan has four projects totaling $13,778,000.

"Each of these investments will have long-term positive effects on their respective communities as well as the surrounding area," said USDA Rural Development State Director for Michigan Jason Allen. "By strengthening rural areas and increasing their prosperity, we're also helping Michigan as a whole move forward."

The Michigan projects are:

- The Tuscarora Township Downtown Development Authority, in Cheboygan County, will use a $1.4 million loan make streetscape improvements in the township's downtown area. The project area is along the South Straits Highway from M-68 to River Street and will include paving, curb and gutter, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, traffic control and restoration. The Michigan Department of Transportation is contributing a $381,000 grant and the DDA is contributing $300,000.

- Crawford County will use a $428,000 loan to purchase a building to be renovated for the county Commission on Aging in a subsequent phase of the project. The current facility, which is rented, is not sufficient to meet the needs of the community.

- Isabella County will use a $9,950,000 loan to construct a new facility for the Isabella County Road Commission. The project features a 8,245 square-foot administration building and a 51,780 square-foot maintenance building. This will replace the current 1950s-era facilities which are no longer adequate.

- Jerome Township, in Midland County, will use a $2 million loan to construct a fire station to replace an outdated facility that is structurally unsound, has inadequate storage and lacks appropriate safety features. The new facility will be over 11,000 square feet and will have four drive-through apparatus bays, a work space with an emergency wash area, office space, locker rooms, a dispatch room, and expanded storage. The property will be three acres and will be landscaped with fencing to provide noise barriers to adjacent properties. More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities program funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants, a detailed overview of the application process.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

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