Rural Development projects: A job well done (Keeping the Farm)

(Editor’s note: Denis Lovelady is a state director for USDA Rural Development in Maryland and Delaware.)

Finally, autumn is upon us. There is something significant about the annual change from summer to fall.
It’s harvest time where we reap the benefits of our labor.
I may be a bit poetic with my analogy, but it is a terrific opportunity for me to highlight two of our many successful investments funded during FY 2019.
The benefits of the Rural Development staff’s labor — a job well done!
Community Facilities Loan: Montessori School, Sussex County, Del. This Rural Development investment will be used to fund the site acquisition and renovations associated with the opening of the Sussex Montessori charter school.
The school is planning to open by June,2020. The project will be developed in three phases to include renovations to existing structures and the construction of new buildings for classrooms and administrative offices. The full project build-out will be completed by 2022 and will accommodate 455 students.
This project will introduce the first public Montessori method school in Sussex County.
The school will have ties to the community and provide necessary educational services to rural students from grades K to 6. USDA Rural Development provided a Community Facilities Direct Loan in the amount of $7,650,000. SMS will contribute towards the project with capital campaign resources in the amount of $2,590,000 for a total project investment of $10,240,000.
USDA Rural Development investments improve community facilities and provide essential services for rural residents through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Programs. Modern, accessible and reliable community infrastructure, public safety facilities, schools and health facilities are essential components to strong and prosperous communities.
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.
Rural Utilities Service Loan & Grant: The USDA RD RUS funded a new wastewater treatment plant for enhanced nutrient removal for the Towns of Secretary and East New Market located in Dorchester County, Md., to improve health and sanitary conditions. This investment provided $1,149,000 RUS loan and a grant for $5,831,000. USDA RUS partnered with the State of Maryland for a total project investment of $13,780,000.
Modernizing rural water and wastewater systems helps spur economic growth, improves the health and safety of rural residents and businesses, and makes rural places even more attractive to live and work.
These investments illustrate that USDA is a strong partner with rural towns and communities to help them build and improve local infrastructure. USDA Rural Development is investing in projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.
Eligible applicants include rural cities and towns, and water districts. They can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
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.
When rural America thrives, all of America thrives.
For more information, reach me at denise.lovelady@usda.gov or visit www.usda.gov/de or www.usda.gov/md.