Men and Women United For Youth and Families Inc. has received a $300,000 Community Facilities Direct Loan and Guaranteed Loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Partners Network, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Monday.
The Rural Development investment will be used to purchase an existing facility for Men and Women United for Youth and Families Inc. The Delco-based organization offers programs for job and workforce training, peer-to-peer leadership opportunities, and a community food hub for people in Bladen, Columbus and Brunswick counties.
Currently, the organization occupies the second story of an office building that does not provide adequate space for the services being offered. The proposed project will consist of a 2,700 square foot office building on a one-acre site and will serve as its home office for administrative staff and strategic programming. The proposed facility will allow the department to continue its mission and provide essential services to families in need.
Monday’s announcement will help rural communities across eight states and Puerto Rico address some of their immediate needs and foster long-term economic growth.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda provides a historic opportunity to transform our economy from one that benefits a few to one that benefits many,” Vilsack said. “Through Rural Partners Network, USDA staff is on the ground listening to those many different voices in rural America and responding with funding and resources that will help people in small towns, rural places and on Tribal lands build stronger communities and brighter futures.”
USDA is providing loans and grants to help people living in rural and Tribal communities in the Rural Partners Network (RPN) access good-paying jobs, improved infrastructure, affordable housing and quality health care.
In all, the funding will support 52 projects in Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, West Virginia and Puerto Rico. Some projects also will benefit people outside RPN communities in Alabama, Florida and Texas.
Click here for a full list of projects.