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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Community and economic development

Jan 10, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announcing the availability of an estimated $79 million in grant funding for the Community Connect Grant Program for fiscal year 2025. The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants who will provide service at or above the broadband grant speed to all premises in rural, economically challenged communities where broadband service does not exist. The application window opens on February 20, 2025. Applications are due by April 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 3, 2025 - Describes the economic and workforce impacts of widespread childcare shortages and efforts by state lawmakers to support providers. Highlights legislative efforts to support growth in rural child care capacity, including a Nebraska grant program that supports the provision of child care services in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Source: Stateline
Dec 27, 2024 - Presents an overview of an initiative working to increase food sovereignty and security through support for small-scale agriculture in remote Alaska Native villages. Describes services including educational outreach, farm tours, and resource referrals. Notes that the program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Source: Morning Ag Clips
Dec 19, 2024 - Highlights affordable housing issues in a rural New Mexico community, including factors contributing to high prices and impacts on the community. Notes that lack of affordable housing impacts the ability of local institutions, such as the hospital, to recruit workforce.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 26, 2024 - Highlights 2 rural Colorado communities among the first to receive federal funds to build infrastructure for high-speed internet access. Notes statewide goals for increasing access to broadband and projected impacts on rural communities.
Source: Government Technology
Nov 21, 2024 - National Rural Health Day, a day to recognize the efforts of rural community members, healthcare providers, and other rural stakeholders, is being celebrated on November 21, 2024. Includes a collection of stories from around the country recognizing and celebrating National Rural Health Day.
Nov 21, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) amending the amount of loan funding available for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. The maximum amount per award available for Second, Third, and Fourth Quarter application periods has been reduced from $2 million to $1 million.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDL and REDG)
Nov 21, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Treasury Department of funding allocations made through the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program for calendar years 2024-25. This program allows community development entities (CDEs) to offer a tax credit incentive to investors to stimulate private investment capital for economic and community development in low-income communities. Provides details about changes to the previous allocation round, as well program eligibility details. Applicants are required to complete the Application Registration section of the NMTC Allocation Application by December 5, 2024 in order to be able to submit the remaining application sections by January 29, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program