Rural Health
News by Topic: Infrastructure

RBS, RHS, RUS: Notice of Funding Opportunities for the Strategic Economic and Community Development Program for FY 2026 Federal Register

Feb 2, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) providing application requirements for funding reserved under the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) priority program. USDA is implementing SECD in fiscal year 2026 by reserving funds from the covered program. This notice describes the requirements by which RD will consider projects eligible for covered programs' reserved funds and information needed to apply.

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NTIA: NTIA Listening Session on the Use of BEAD Funds Saved Through the Trump Administration's Benefit of the Bargain Reforms Federal Register

Jan 27, 2026 - The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will hold a virtual listening session on February 11, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern regarding the use of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds. The listening session will gather input from stakeholders to inform NTIA's future planning and policy development. Meeting materials will be available on NTIA's BroadbandUSA website.Pre-registration is required.

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Simple Handwashing Stations Improved Health Indicators in Parts of Rural Alaska

Jan 13, 2026 - Discusses a recent study finding that portable water stations installed in rural Alaskan homes without piped water as part of COVID-19 mitigation efforts are decreasing contagious diseases and increasing water use. Discusses the cost savings associated with this system, making water associated public health practices more achievable than in the past.

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