From USDA:
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Arizona State Director Charlene Fernandez today announced the availability of grants to help rural and Tribal communities repair water infrastructure damaged by presidentially declared disasters due to fire, flood, and severe storm in calendar year 2022.
Eligible water infrastructure projects must be located in areas affected by the Tunnel 2, Crooks, and Pipeline fires in Coconino and Yavapai counties, severe storms affecting the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, or flooding impacting the Havasupai Indian Reservation.
“We can’t predict where disaster will strike, but we can provide support to repair or rebuild,” Fernandez said. “The Biden-Harris Administration sees our rural communities are disproportionately affected by climate change and we’re committed to offering this help to respond to the effects of last year’s devastating natural disasters and build resiliency against future challenges.”
Eligible applicants include rurally located public bodies, and nonprofit organizations.
Funds may be used to:
- repair damaged water infrastructure.
- develop resiliency to reduce long-term risks from future disasters.
Funds may be used in the following presidentially declared disaster areas:
- Coconino County (Arizona Tunnel 2 Fire, Arizona Pipeline Fire)
- Yavapai County (Arizona Crooks Fire)
- Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (severe storms during calendar year 2022)
- Havasupai Indian Reservation (flooding during calendar year 2022)
USDA is making over $247 million in grants available through supplemental disaster funding under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Funds will remain available until expended. Applications must be submitted through the RD APPLY application system at rdapply.usda.gov.
Interested applicants in Arizona should contact Michael Dean, Community Programs Director, at 928-910-4471 and see additional contact information online at www.rd.usda.gov/az.
USDA expects to announce additional funding for presidentially declared disaster areas in the coming weeks.
Additional resources to support rural communities seeking disaster assistance are available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/page/rural-development-disaster-assistance.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
