USDA selects East Palestine project to move forward in awards process to repair rural facilities damaged by disasters
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken announced Friday that an Ohio project has been selected to move forward in the awards process to repair or replace essential community facilities damaged by disasters in calendar years 2022 or 2023.
The Village of East Palestine will receive up to 75 percent of the total project cost to build a new administrative building that combines its police station, village operations, fire department and emergency services.
“Today is a great day for East Palestine and its ongoing economic recovery. Local first responders stepped up to keep their community safe during the 2023 train derailment, and investing in a new public safety complex away from the railroad tracks is the right thing to do,” said McCracken. “USDA Rural Development and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to the people of East Palestine and the surrounding area, and this investment is a symbol of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the region is a great place to live and raise a family.”
Recently, USDA invested $500,000 with Valley Partners in Youngstown, Ohio, through the Rural Business Development Grant program to create a revolving loan fund that will support small businesses in East Palestine and bolster economic development there and in surrounding Columbiana County. USDA Rural Development is committed to ensuring that the Village of East Palestine has access to the community and economic development tools it needs to thrive.
In total, USDA will invest a total of $36 million through the Community Facilities Disaster Grants Program to assist communities, Federally recognized Tribes, and community-based nonprofits in rebuilding following disasters in 2022 and 2023. Ohio’s project is one of 15 selected for advancement. Projects are in 10 states and Puerto Rico.
Applicants plan to use the funding to repair or replace damaged essential community facilities, replace damaged equipment or vehicles, and purchase new equipment to make much-needed repairs.
The Community Facilities Program received supplemental disaster funding under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
Additional resources to support rural communities seeking disaster assistance are available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/page/rural-development-disaster-assistance.
USDA Rural Development provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support businesses, communities and families in rural areas.
USDA Rural Development has five offices in Ohio – Columbus, Findlay, Hillsboro, Marietta and Massillon. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Ohio, call (614) 255-2400 or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/oh.
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