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<p class="MsoNormal">You may know of organizations in your rural areas (population of 20,000 or less) that would be interested in this opportunity. Cathy
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Cathy L. Martinez, PhD, Director and <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Family, Consumer, and Health Science Agent<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">820 E Cottonwood Lane Building C<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Casa Grande, AZ 85122<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Office: 520-836-5221<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Cell: 520-483-9119<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fax: 520-836-1750<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> USDA Office of Communications <feedback@oc.usda.gov>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 2, 2020 8:03 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Martinez, Cathy L - (clm5) <clmartin@cals.arizona.edu><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [EXT]USDA Invests $65 Million in Rural Community Facilities in 14 States<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:red">External Email</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-size:1.0pt">U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced that USDA is investing $65 million to improve critical community facilities
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="mailto:press@oc.usda.gov"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="600" style="width:6.25in" id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/adadfa4a701/e29f8aaa-55cc-40c0-a65e-2a242078cb55.jpg" alt="USDA banner on top of rural town"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1A191A">Press Release</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2C981B">USDA Invests $65 Million in Rural Community Facilities in 14 States</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">New Schools, Libraries, Health Clinics and Public Safety Equipment Will Benefit More Than 600,000 People and Help
Communities Thrive</span></i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">WASHINGTON, April 2, 2020</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"> – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced that USDA is
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014SM-Hq0PPg8yeiFUZ9AfnQ8YyXW6yLVKrt8a7OMW0AJaTwZhb1AY6OM5v_qSTuUMVOSPzKy9QmTnuVQWGRlGyjOFzz19I65Nbh9nwB_O-CmGXE8Ujz4EGBoRzIomtNsn0DPMW-HSs026v04vjhJImPgV3ahbG8qzt9gk3dpbInEftAG4g_raQzu-jog4DKHibh8bPrbWeS_mDGKTDW0QxV7X4TI93JfG&c=VxMGLPpKocIxrCTDuxc-1zjQb2N1S1UQF3BBsq8Jq0MG9QM9VU0itQ==&ch=a8FTeZtk_kR2eNlXrX131udhFkk3jZXwI85SDT0cARSzOVUB55bZMQ==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#48A199">investing
$65 million to improve critical community facilities</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"> (PDF, 154 KB) to benefit more than 600,000 rural residents in 14 states.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">“Access to modern community facilities and essential services is critical for growth and prosperity in rural communities,” Brand said. “Under the leadership
of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner with rural communities to provide essential services, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">USDA is funding 38 projects through the
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014SM-Hq0PPg8yeiFUZ9AfnQ8YyXW6yLVKrt8a7OMW0AJaTwZhb1AY6GF5fsYli6Vjklf2cX8JxlslL32fUw3vGc7lkDzy75UqMxq2z4rLgKFPIPSTPXnyrPou-fyAbKOBL5cVPSTvJhGdNK3gMQaUpvfpGGi02u6BOlQjgBd7tcB-SEARcY_KW4bvpA8NoE4orggEWHXiKI-DHquukkd7kQl-xlyXnhwhheqPXhaWVh0=&c=VxMGLPpKocIxrCTDuxc-1zjQb2N1S1UQF3BBsq8Jq0MG9QM9VU0itQ==&ch=a8FTeZtk_kR2eNlXrX131udhFkk3jZXwI85SDT0cARSzOVUB55bZMQ==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#48A199">Community
Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">. The investments can be used for purposes such as to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety
facilities. For example:</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">
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<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#403F42"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">Sioux Center Health in Iowa will use a $25 million loan to expand its clinic and senior-living facilities. The clinic will add 18 exam rooms, a family
practice and support space for specialty physicians. A Main Street addition will be built to include a kitchen, dining room, café, salon, bank, post office and theater area. The nursing facility will add 32 units. The assisted-living facility will update garages
and common areas, add a new main entrance, and add 24 assisted-living and 16 memory-care units.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">The city of Martin, Tenn., will use a $6.5 million loan to build a state-of-the-art library. The library will include open Wi-Fi, children’s centers
and technology areas. It will also have space to host conferences, concerts, meetings and private events.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#403F42"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">Blue Ridge Montessori Inc. in Bedford County, Va., will use a $3 million loan to build a 13,565-square-foot school. It will have nine classrooms,
administrative offices, a library with a computer lab, a science lab, a teacher’s lounge and multiple storage areas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">Brand announced projects today in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington
and Wisconsin.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities 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.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">Interested parties should contact their
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014SM-Hq0PPg8yeiFUZ9AfnQ8YyXW6yLVKrt8a7OMW0AJaTwZhb1AY6H87nnEZF0EP8SlpgM3KBOv33UhCk45CW6YVxNcRA-ShFvDtZu5Cj5XvN79PHDTZ9dmwj1R1qXfRVjFiRvD0rhSWReBZOSs5kjG8HupmmumGZ58P1Sa8QiOiiLjJ_AD1cw==&c=VxMGLPpKocIxrCTDuxc-1zjQb2N1S1UQF3BBsq8Jq0MG9QM9VU0itQ==&ch=a8FTeZtk_kR2eNlXrX131udhFkk3jZXwI85SDT0cARSzOVUB55bZMQ==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#48A199">USDA
Rural Development state office</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"> for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014SM-Hq0PPg8yeiFUZ9AfnQ8YyXW6yLVKrt8a7OMW0AJaTwZhb1AY6DCOMZa7zr0a3sBetmFGjz8jVWAoTQts0Vop3HAKgYaNyY0_9ubxYeuCPFcYhZtm9LFRu0IfJSegAiBVXrVONhdSmhv4Ztz0wKD8wsnnOVVkWjyYjGryqFstloLJdYyJTUmWdyjd0zO-ghT9Bz89ZG2wfbgDNWKZyydkgKTrXtin&c=VxMGLPpKocIxrCTDuxc-1zjQb2N1S1UQF3BBsq8Jq0MG9QM9VU0itQ==&ch=a8FTeZtk_kR2eNlXrX131udhFkk3jZXwI85SDT0cARSzOVUB55bZMQ==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#48A199">Community
Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"> (PDF, 669 KB), a detailed overview of the application process.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014SM-Hq0PPg8yeiFUZ9AfnQ8YyXW6yLVKrt8a7OMW0AJaTwZhb1AY6GRWpACgILmA40iPI65VGcFPkeo38Kzql_9STfX1q05YyTTkUFcBF0Q3NB63ovLtVJAvKe6WkszytlaqQL4LNam1cTWYYOc5e3OS9htjb08nogCrrrcusIwDWWYoITwg9g==&c=VxMGLPpKocIxrCTDuxc-1zjQb2N1S1UQF3BBsq8Jq0MG9QM9VU0itQ==&ch=a8FTeZtk_kR2eNlXrX131udhFkk3jZXwI85SDT0cARSzOVUB55bZMQ==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#48A199">Interagency
Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"> to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural
communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that
exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014SM-Hq0PPg8yeiFUZ9AfnQ8YyXW6yLVKrt8a7OMW0AJaTwZhb1AY6GF5fsYli6VjulSdFAnbSzXmfYT9aaaIFpwdiAHkMbRWXSxHNCgBWMDZRjZt1IbLxIB9gktZWVC4SucJWglJvrWut0OJZxZBWWXDYXyEcVuXByopciCmH5lI1E0rt43PKrAlLRyPw8KN591JK4cjSFapANdJUZwbliBdOOWATEc6&c=VxMGLPpKocIxrCTDuxc-1zjQb2N1S1UQF3BBsq8Jq0MG9QM9VU0itQ==&ch=a8FTeZtk_kR2eNlXrX131udhFkk3jZXwI85SDT0cARSzOVUB55bZMQ==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#48A199">Report
to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"> (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations,
please view the </span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014SM-Hq0PPg8yeiFUZ9AfnQ8YyXW6yLVKrt8a7OMW0AJaTwZhb1AY6GF5fsYli6VjnR_rGmha9VXUSp52p9SL-vQcuqDWgJbxlGsqT_KLobru9cI43OlEnsv0k4i1_VdzeEUTj2_ErJgEgqM_odrZHNkjFTwn7BuQyRayU2Ndthub1mYiN_jwMaHGOVAwPWFgGqkghy6evB9p2qCASaOUMMjvQAFdKwMaeIKy-8sWPs8=&c=VxMGLPpKocIxrCTDuxc-1zjQb2N1S1UQF3BBsq8Jq0MG9QM9VU0itQ==&ch=a8FTeZtk_kR2eNlXrX131udhFkk3jZXwI85SDT0cARSzOVUB55bZMQ==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#48A199">Rural
Prosperity infographic</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"> (PDF, 190 KB).</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">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
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014SM-Hq0PPg8yeiFUZ9AfnQ8YyXW6yLVKrt8a7OMW0AJaTwZhb1AY6GF5fsYli6VjMCJmmz8-J0khXitoGMaojd2tZD_pRJkoyXXC8PhkTkL6jYrxq2KXV9J8pkeaO2NUbRMLeBQwnOQNfOEi3vBRUg==&c=VxMGLPpKocIxrCTDuxc-1zjQb2N1S1UQF3BBsq8Jq0MG9QM9VU0itQ==&ch=a8FTeZtk_kR2eNlXrX131udhFkk3jZXwI85SDT0cARSzOVUB55bZMQ==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#48A199">www.rd.usda.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014SM-Hq0PPg8yeiFUZ9AfnQ8YyXW6yLVKrt8a7OMW0AJaTwZhb1AY6C419-YRQOi86sU3ZCs7W3kTPNcCSfbjzGLKVVrwCH3A0rmBilnOxKzXlryCW15IC9lZ1yu__EH0ZEjdivpl-aa5ec_-S4CrQ2n_iFQ_d2zc4pDGetxwHbN27rbrIv89wbUFhXI4A-FRLyKaxirFoeQGVXB7Wnj3EBFs0Ml1Oyh-v87gY8tEh5dcUILNONlNsg==&c=VxMGLPpKocIxrCTDuxc-1zjQb2N1S1UQF3BBsq8Jq0MG9QM9VU0itQ==&ch=a8FTeZtk_kR2eNlXrX131udhFkk3jZXwI85SDT0cARSzOVUB55bZMQ==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#48A199">our
GovDelivery subscriber page</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#403F42">
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