Huron County View

USDA invests to improve rural Michigan community facilities and essential services

Two Huron County communities receive funding


WASHINGTON D.C. – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson recently announced the USDA is investing $185 million to equip, rebuild, and modernize essential services in rural areas of 32 states. The investments will benefit three million rural residents.

Two Huron County communities – Harbor Beach and Pigeon – were among the recipients.

“The Biden-Harris Administration has made investing in infrastructure improvements a priority,” Maxson said. “These loans and grants will help rural communities invest in facilities and services that are vital to all communities, such as schools, libraries, hospitals and health clinics. They also will help rural communities continue to beat the COVID-19 pandemic as America builds back better and stronger.”

USDA is investing in 16 Michigan projects. Among those, are the following Huron County projects:

• The Harbor Beach Area Fire Department is receiving a $47,800 grant to purchase Jaws of Life rescue equipment. The equipment will be battery operated, which will be more usable and versatile for various types of extrication of people in life-threatening situations. The equipment will also be able to lift objects off of trapped people.

• The Village of Pigeon is receiving a $37,500 grant to purchase a patrol vehicle. The vehicle will replace an older fleet vehicle that has begun to deteriorate with increasing maintenance costs. The vehicle will be used mainly as a first responder unit to medical calls.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

To learn more about Community Facilities Program funding opportunities, contact a USDA Rural Development state office. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process.