Albany, Brookfield and Trenton Among 8 Mo Cities Splitting $250k in USDA Money
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, Friday announced the USDA is investing $254,621 in Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grant funds to bolster rural housing, community programs, and economic development.
USDA awarded Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc. a $254,621 grant to provide technical assistance to eight communities throughout rural Missouri, including three in our listneing area. Missouri Main Street Connection will match the award.
Albany, Brookfield, Campbell, Carthage, Fayette, Sedalia, Sparta, and Trenton—will receive technical assistance utilizing The Main Street Approach. The Main Street Approach provides a comprehensive framework for economic development that creates a sustainable local ecosystem for small businesses to succeed.
The effects of the recent COVID-19 pandemic have been felt by all businesses and communities, but the need for assistance is especially great for rural communities whose local economies are primarily comprised of small businesses. Using this funding, each targeted community will receive assistance in its recovery process, increase its capacity for community development, increase local investment, and increase net new businesses and jobs. Ultimately, this will unify the communities in common transformation strategies, thus establishing a better quality of life and community resiliency.
RCDI grants may be awarded in eligible rural areas to non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities, and federally recognized Native American tribes in support of rural housing, community facilities, and economic development projects. Eligible areas include cities, towns, and rural regions with populations fewer than 50,000.
