This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infrastructure

Tornadoes: Agencies Promote Resilience but Actions Needed to Improve Access to FEMA Assistance
Report investigating accessibility of FEMA assistance funding for tribal and rural communities. Discusses grant writing, cost share, benefit-cost analyses, infrastructure, emergency management staffing, and more.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Federally Supported Projects and Programs for Wastewater, Drinking Water, and Water Supply Infrastructure
Provides an overview of federally-funded water infrastructure projects, including those in rural areas, as well as programs that provide community support for these types of projects and related activities. Includes information on the federal cost-share, average amount of assistance, fiscal year 2021 funding level, and fiscal year 2025 appropriations highlights for each program.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program: Issues for the 119th Congress
Provides an overview of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which was created in 2021 to provide broadband service to locations that lack access. Describes concerns that have been raised by stakeholders regarding the implementation of the BEAD Program. Presents options for Congress related to overseeing and addressing concerns about the BEAD Program.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
Annual Report To the Congress of the United States On Sanitation Deficiency Levels for Indian Homes and Communities: Fiscal Year 2023
Reports on sanitation deficiencies in tribal communities and describes efforts and priorities of the Indian Health Service to improve tribal water, sewer, and solid waste infrastructure. Includes data on estimated costs to address sanitation deficiencies, estimated health impacts, and healthcare costs avoided by infrastructure investment.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
view details
Delta Regional Authority 2024 Annual Report
Discusses the Delta Regional Authority's strategic investments, programming, and initiatives throughout 2024. Focuses on critical and human infrastructure, public works, capacity building, workforce opportunities and health system improvements in rural areas, and more.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Delta Regional Authority
view details
Building Healthier Rural Communities: Economic Development Districts Address Social Determinants of Health
Report outlining social determinants of health (SDOH) in rural areas and how Economic Development Districts (EDD) address them. Highlights workforce, infrastructure, food security, health, disaster preparedness, funding, data, and public-private partnerships. Includes a case study from an EDD in North Carolina and highlights the role of hospitals in the community.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Economic Development District Community of Practice, National Association of Development Organizations
view details
Working with Communities on Decisions for Innovative Treatment Technologies
Provides guidance for technical assistance providers and other decision-makers in examining, planning, and implementing non-treatment and treatment responses to emerging contaminants, including PFAS, in small, rural, and underserved communities. Includes discussion of community decision-making, challenges of working with innovative technologies, and public health and infrastructure factors influencing adoption.
Additional links: Interactive guidebook
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Community Assistance Partnership
view details
The Universal Service Fund and Related FCC Broadband Programs: Overview and Considerations for Congress
Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program, and Schools and Libraries Program. Describes legislation introduced in the 118th Congress that would impact the USF programs. Outlines considerations for Congress and five areas for possible reform.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
Accessing Funding for Capital Projects in Rural Healthcare
Policy paper intended to provide information and inspire action, by enhancing current funding programs, removing barriers, directing more capital toward rural healthcare, and exploring new solutions. Features statistics on USDA community facilities loans and USDA healthcare guaranteed loans as a percentage of all USDA guaranteed loans.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Stroudwater Associates
view details
Indian Health Service's Controls Over Sanitation Facilities Construction Program Projects Funded Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Could Be Improved
Explores Indian Health Service (IHS) internal controls regarding identifying, recording, and tracking projects in the Sanitation Deficiency System (SDS) and ensuring that Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds are limited to eligible project costs. Offers recommendations to IHS to improve controls for identifying and recording SFC Program projects funded under IIJA and for ensuring IIJA funds are used only for eligible project costs.
Additional links: Report Highlights
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
view details