Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is a cosponsor of the Emergency Rural Community Relief Act, legislation that expands USDA’s Community Facilities Program to allow rural communities to utilize the grants during an emergency situation. If awarded one of these grants, communities would be able to utilize them to purchase vehicles, equipment, or services needed for safe operation of essential community facilities during an emergency. Eligible communities include towns with populations under 20,000.
“Our rural communities are facing significant financial challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Many of our North Country communities utilize the USDA’s Community Facilities Program to support community-based initiatives each year. I am proud to cosponsor this bill, which expands that program and allows rural communities the option to utilize these grants for emergencies such as natural disasters, or even for emergency COVID-19 testing sites. I have been a longtime advocate for these USDA programs that return valuable tax dollars back into our area, and I will continue to support these programs as we help our communities recover and rebuild from the effects of the recent public health crisis.”
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