 |
|
Welcome Summer 2026!
"As we honor and celebrate America's 250th birthday this summer, we are as dedicated as ever to the principles that helped establish the United States so many years ago. We thank you for making us part of your projects and goals, and we want to continue supporting all you are doing for rural life in our great state of Illinois. From the Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) program to the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase 4 and so much more, there are several programs that are open for applications right now. More will be opening in the coming weeks and months. We encourage you to explore which of these might be the best fit for you and your plans. Please let us know how we can help with applications, clarification on policy updates, or anything else to support your projects." - Jesus Ortega, Illinois State Director, USDA Rural Development
|
Key Updates
Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program
USDA is providing $500 million to increase domestic fertilizer production through the Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) program. The purpose of the FIELDS Program is to provide American farmers access to more fertilizer for producing agricultural commodities. Applications will be due on August 17, 2026. Visit our website for the fiscal year 2026 Notice of Funding Available (NOFA). INFO
Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase 4 is Open for Applications through August 7
Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase 4 grants help meat processors who primarily process cattle and want to expand. Apply through Grants.gov by August 7, 2026, at 11:59 Eastern Time. State Director Ortega was thrilled to visit Chippin, Inc., MPPEP Phase 3 recipient, to see the work they’re doing to process invasive catfish.
More than 700 Miles of High-Speed Fiber Optic Internet for Rural Southern Illinois
On May 14, the ProTek Fiber lighting ceremony was held in Marion. The gathering celebrated the activation of 700 more miles of new, high-speed fiber-optic internet infrastructure across rural Southern Illinois. This USDA Rural Development investment is through its Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program, which offers loan guarantees to lenders for their loans to rural businesses. READ THE NEWS RELEASE
USDA Rural Development Illinois Celebrates National Homeownership Month
State Director Ortega celebrated National Homeownership Month by highlighting Rural Development’s commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and helping more Americans, especially first-time homebuyers, achieve the dream of homeownership.
Thank you so much, Illinois Realtors, for talking with us on your podcast about USDA Housing programs. LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION
READ THE HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH NEWS RELEASE
USDA Invests in New Equipment for the Illinois Valley Food Pantry
USDA Rural Development provided the Illinois Valley Food Pantry in Peru with $550,000 in funding. The food pantry serves nine rural communities in LaSalle County, serving on average 750 families a month experiencing food insecurity. READ THE FULL NEWS RELEASE
USDA Invests in Water Infrastructure Upgrades for the Anna-Jonesboro Water Commission
The Anna-Jonesboro Water Commission will receive $11.115 million for critical water infrastructure upgrades. READ THE FULL NEWS RELEASE
USDA Announces $800,000 Investment in a New Medical Building for the Clay County Hospital
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega announced that the agency provided Clay County with an $800,000 grant to construct a new medical building for the Clay County Hospital. The Clay County Hospital is a county-owned hospital governed by the Clay County Board. READ THE FULL NEWS RELEASE
USDA Invests in Water Infrastructure for Seven Counties in Rural Illinois
Farmer-founded EJ Water Cooperative, Inc. received $5,537,000 for construction of a reservoir west of Holland, Illinois. The new reservoir is one of the critical water upgrades the cooperative is making that will provide access to reliable water for more than 16,000 rural residents across seven counties in rural Illinois. READ THE FULL NEWS RELEASE
USDA Celebrates 100 Years of Route 66 and Hundreds of Miles of Investments in Rural Illinois
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Route 66 designation, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega called attention to several Rural Development investments along the historic highway. Nearly $11 million in investments in recent projects provide benefits to many thousands of people in rural Illinois and beyond. READ THE FULL NEWS RELEASE
Field Notes
Funding for Rural Illinois through The Egyptian Electric Cooperative
The Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association recently reloaned two separate loans through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. The loans are to the Monroe County Electric Cooperative and to the Degognia Fountain Bluff Levee and Drainage District
-
$1 million loan to the Monroe County Electric Cooperative These 0% loan funds will assist MCEC in purchasing a former farm equipment dealership and will be used for material and equipment storage.
-
$300,000 loan to Degognia Fountain Bluff Levee and Drainage District This USDA RD investment will help cover the costs to install relief wells within a drainage and levee district in Jackson County. Without the new wells, over 16,000 acres of farmland will flood.
Mobile Medical Care
 Southern Illinois Health Services (Southern Illinois Hospital/Southern Illinois Now/Southern Illinois-University of Chicago School of Medicine) purchased and outfitted a Mobile Medical Unit. The MMU will provide services throughout the Illinois Delta Region and offer comprehensive occupational health and medical testing services to employers and their employees throughout the region. This USDA Rural Development investment is through the Delta Health Care Services Grant program.
Old Monroe Distilling Company
Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, Rural Development assists agriculture producers creating new markets for their products. Old Monroe Distilling Co. received Value Added Producer Grant funding to make and sell spirits from the grains they grow, which was a springboard to their success.
Rural Partners
Director Ortega enjoyed meeting with Rural Partners members from around the state to discuss ways the organization is connecting rural Illinoisans with programs like Rural Development’s to maximize the potential of rural Illinois. Thank you for your time and commitment!
|
Rural Development Outreach
 |
|
Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, Director Ortega is dedicated to doing everything he can to ensure that all communities are aware of the assistance Rural Development can provide. His commitment to outreach has been instrumental in connecting Rural Development with mayors, council members, and more community leaders! Please reach out if you’d like a visit as he travels the state. |
Hamilton County Telephone Cooperative
Director Ortega visited the Hamilton County Telephone Co-operative to talk about how they use the ReConnect Loan and Grant program to assist rural Illinoisans in obtaining high-speed internet. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, Rural Development brings high-speed internet to rural people and places who need it most.
|
City of LaSalle
 |
|
Director Ortega met with officials with the City of LaSalle to visit a well that was funded through the Water and Environmental Programs. He talked with city leaders about more ways to partner with Rural Development. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, Rural Development supports communities and their economic development goals. |
Illinois Farm Bureau
|
Thank you so much to the Illinois Farm Bureau Radio for talking with Director Ortega! Each conversation is dedicated to topics about programs that support rural prosperity for Illinois.
Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, Rural Development supports farmers and the rural communities in which they live and work.
|
|
 |
|
