NEWS RELEASE
USDA Invests $25 Billion to Strengthen Rural Communities
Delivering on the America First Agenda for Rural America
(Washington, D.C., October 6, 2026) — U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Glen R. Smith announced today that Rural Development invested nearly $25 billion in loans and grants in fiscal year 2026. These investments are helping rural communities grow and maintain critical services that families, farmers, and businesses rely on every day.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is delivering the infrastructure and resources rural America needs to compete, grow, and prosper,” said Under Secretary Smith. “Consistent with the President’s executive orders to cut red tape, unleash American energy, and put rural communities first, Rural Development is investing in the infrastructure that keeps our communities strong, our farmers competitive, and our small towns thriving for generations to come.”
Through this investment, Rural Development is delivering modern infrastructure, affordable housing, and new economic opportunities to rural communities. These investments are creating measurable improvements in access to clean water, reliable power, broadband connectivity, health care facilities, emergency services, and safe, affordable housing, while boosting local economies.
Below are several key areas where Rural Development investments delivered real impacts across rural America in fiscal year 2026:
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Water and Environmental Programs: Rural Development invested $1.3 billion to build and repair water and wastewater systems, protecting public health and supporting economic growth in small towns nationwide.
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Electric Programs: Rural Development invested $9.7 billion to enhance the reliability and affordability of rural electric infrastructure.
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Telecommunications: Rural Development invested $267 million to expand internet access to rural households, farms, businesses, and community institutions.
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Community Facilities: Rural Development invested $897.8 million to build and improve hospitals, fire stations, first responder equipment, and other essential community facilities.
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Business Programs: Rural Development invested $1.8 billion to support rural small businesses, value-added agriculture, and job creation through loans and grants that strengthen local economies.
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Housing Programs: Rural Development invested $10.9 billion to help rural families achieve safe, affordable homeownership and to support the development of affordable rural rental housing.
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Disaster Recovery: Rural Development invested $100.5 million to help rural communities rebuild critical infrastructure following natural disasters.
Rural Development State Offices will follow with local announcements highlighting specific projects and successes in their communities, watch for additional coverage in the days ahead.
These investments mark only the beginning of USDA’s commitment to deliver resources that communities can rely on to improve their quality of life. Focusing on the needs of rural America helps build more resilient communities across the nation.
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making agency investment data accessible to the public.
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