USDA investing $8 million to improve infrastructure in rural Arizona
Jan 31, 2022, 4:00 PM | Updated: 4:13 pm
(Facebook Photo/Regional Center for Border Health)
(Facebook Photo/Regional Center for Border Health)
PHOENIX — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $8 million in support of improvements for community facilities in rural Arizona.
The funding is expected to increase access to community services and education in the state’s rural communities through a series of projects.
“Infrastructure improvements, particularly those that impact our rural communities, are a top priority,” Charlene Fernandez, Arizona’s USDA director, said in a press release.
“These loans and grants are going to support local-level access to the quality, supportive services that are truly needed in Arizona’s rural cities and towns.”
Over half of the investment will go toward Regional Center for Border Health expanding a medical complex in Yuma County.
The $4.56 million loan will result in more classroom space for vocational technical programs as well as added office, storage and fleet space.
Nonprofit Little Colorado Revitalization will get about $2 million for a pair of projects.
About $1 million will go toward making vehicle and equipment purchases necessary to support harvest, processing and distribution of local agricultural products for the retail and wholesale industry in Apache County.
The other $1 million in funding will support site preparation, utility connections and building installation to support harvest, processing and distribution of agriculture in the county.
Another approximately $1 million will go toward Verde Valley Archaeology Center to make essential repairs and improvements to its facility in Yavapai County.
Three other projects will share the remaining $100,000 in funding.
A total of 731 projects nationwide will get money as part of the initiative to improve infrastructure in the country.
