September 30, 2009: USDA Releases Reporting Requirements Memo USDA released a memorandum with ARRA reporting and registration requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) technology projects. The memorandum provides questions and answers to help states comply with ARRA reporting requirements. For a copy of the memo, go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/recovery/memos/WIC_registration-reporting.pdf
September 23, 2009: State Agencies to Get Special Supplemental Nutrition Funds Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that selected state agencies will receive approximately $8.5 million in grants funded by ARRA to improve Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) administration and make it easier for WIC recipients to purchase nutritious foods. For a list of grantees, see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/09/0462.xml
WIC State Agency Model Request for application to implement WIC state agency model (SAM), which includesequipment purchase. Applicants must have completed Feasibility Study/Alternatives Analysis and have approved Implementation Advance Planning Document (IAPD). The application is due June 26, 2009: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/recovery/recovery-wic.htm
WIC Technology Grants Request for application for WIC miscellaneous technology grants to enhance/update MIS, implement food package changes and achieve EBT readiness; conduct MIS planning; fund PAPDs; and conduct other MIS projects. Applicants must have received FNS approval of APD documents, if appropriate. Applications are due June 26, 2009. http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/recovery/recovery-wic.htm
September 2009: FNS Releases Additional Reporting Guidance Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released a supplemental template with guidance on recipient and vendor reporting for ARRA. The chart is in addition to written FNS guidance on ARRA recipient reporting requirements released in August. The chart can be found at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/tefap/TEFAP_Template--ARRA_Reporting.pdf
September 4, 2009: SNAP Funds for Seven States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced almost $5 million in grants for seven state agencies to simplify the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application and eligibility systems and improve access to program benefits for America's low-income households. The announcement is available at: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=node/881
August 13, 2009: SNAP Funding Charts Released The Food and Nutrition Service released ARRA state administrative funding charts for FY 2010 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For details, go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/rules/Memo/2009/081309.pdf
August 3, 2009: Additional TEFAP Reporting Requirements Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released additional information on ARRA reporting requirements for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/recovery/memos/TEFAP_080309.pdf
April 6, 2009: Equipment Assistance and TEFAP Attached are two documents related to ARRA: Q&A related to Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities and information on The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
October 14, 2009: ARRA Grants for Community, Health Facilities Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA is providing $30 million through ARRA for 36 community facilities projects, many of which are for health care facilities. To date, USDA has announced more than $335 million in ARRA funding for community facilities projects. For a list of current projects, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/10/0509.xml
October 6, 2009: ARRA Grants for Environmental Projects Announced Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced the selection of $190 million in water and environmental project loans and grants that are being funded through ARRA. Altogether, the USDA has announced $1.8 billion for water and environmental project loans and grants. For a list of the most recent projects, see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/10/0494.xml
September 9, 2009: Forest Health Protection Projects Secretary Vilsack announced projects funded by ARRA for forest health protection projects. These 78 projects will receive almost $89 million and are located on forested lands in 30 states. Funding will be used to restore forest health conditions on federal, state, and private forest and rangelands recovering from fires, forest insects anddisease outbreaks. For a list of projects, click here.
August 26, 2009: Trade Adjustment Assistance The USDA is requesting comments on a proposed rule that would establishthe procedures and eligibility criteria for receiving assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Farmers Program. The deadline for receiving written comments is September 24, 2009. For more information, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_3JL/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_1_2KE
August 25, 2009: Water/Wastewater Projects Selected Secretary Vilsack announced the selection of $175.8 million in water and environmental projects that are being funded through ARRA. The projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment for rural communities in 27 states. To date, USDA has announced $1.47 billion for water and environmental project loans and grants through ARRA. For a list of projects, see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/08/0412.xml
August 18, 2009: Forest Service Funding Secretary Vilsack announced additional funding under ARRA for Forest Service projects in 36 states. Funds will help to restore natural resources while improving public safety and creating job opportunities in economically distressed areas.The 105 projects, funded at more than $94.6 million, are located on federal, state, and private lands. To date, USDA has announced $1.03 billion of the $1.15 billion—or 89%—of funds authorized by ARRA for Forest Service projects. For more information, see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/08/0387.xml
August 10, 2009: USDA to Provide Relief to Struggling Ag Business Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA is undertaking an effort to provide relief to individuals and businesses in struggling agriculture industries. Vilsack has ordered USDA Rural Development and the Farm Service Agency to use all available means to help producers, processors and other small businesseswho have been hit by worsening economic conditions. For more information, see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/arranewsnavid=NEWS_AUSUMS&parentnav=USDA_ ARRA&edeployment_action=retrievecontent&contentid=2009/08/0373.xml
July 29, 2009: Applications to Fund Business Activity in Rural Communities Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for up to $1.7 billion to fund projects that help spur business activity and economic growth in rural communities. For more information: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/arranews?navid=NEWS_AUSUMS&parentnav=USDA_
July 29, 2009: Selection in Community Facilities Announced Secretary Vilsack announced the selection of $58 million in community facilities projects that are being funded with funds provided through ARRA. Altogether, USDA has announced nearly $179.6 million in ARRA funding for community facility projects to date. For a list of new projects, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_3JL/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_1_2KE
July 28, 2009: Grants to Expand Businesses in Rural Communities Secretary Vilsack announced the selection of 145 recipients for more than $15.3 million in grantsto start or expand businesses in rural communities. Through Recovery Act funding, businesses will be able to access critical capital that will help with start-up andworking capital loans, building and plant renovations, transportation improvements, project planning and other business needs. For a list of projects, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_3JL/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_1_2KE/.ce/7_1_
July 15, 2009: Funding for Water, Environmental Projects Secretary Vilsack announced the selection of $250 million in water and environmental projects that are being funded through ARRA. The 32 projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communitiesin 17 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. This is the fifth wave of water and environmental projects that USDA has announced, with total funding of $1.134 billion. For a list of projects, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/arranewsnavid=NEWS_AUSUMS&parentnav=USDA_ARRA& edeployment_action=retrievecontent&contentid=2009/07/0307.xml
July 9, 2009: Funding for Rural Development Water and Wastewater USDA announced that it is providing $14.2 million to help rural communities identify water andwastewater infrastructure needs that can be financed through ARRA. The funding will be provided under USDA's Rural Development's Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider Program to enable the National Rural Water Association to add 15 water and 71 wastewater technical assistance staff in 2009 and 2010 to help rural communities operate and maintain water and wastewater infrastructure, and provide training and other technical assistance to local staff throughout the country. Additional information is available at: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/arranewsnavid=NEWS_AUSUMS&parentnav=USDA_ARRA &edeployment_action=retrievecontent&contentid=2009/07/0296.xml
May 18, 2009: Community Development Funding Secretary Vilsack announced the selection of nearly $56.6 million in essential community facilities and emergency responder projects that are being funded through ARRA. The 267 projects will help communities in 39 states. All of the funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program, which helps finance and develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include childcare centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings, and transportation. These funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations, and recognized Indian tribes. For a list of funding by state: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/05/0172.xml
Watershed Restoration Funding Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced projects funded by ARRA forroads maintenance and decommissioning and associated watershed restoration. The 106 projects, funded at more than $228 million, are located on Forest Service land in 31 states. For a list of funding by state: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/06/0194.xml
Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Ecosystem Funds Secretary Vilsack announced $224 million for 110 hazardous fuels reduction and ecosystem improvement projects funded by ARRA. The projects are located on forested lands in more than 26 states and territories. Hazardous fuels activities include reducing the volume of hazardous fuels on federal forests and grasslands and on lands owned by states, local governments, private organizations, and individual land owners through financial assistance and partnership agreements. Ecosystem improvement activities, which are designed to improve and protect forest health, include thinning, removal of competing vegetation, planting native species, and constructing new stream channels and ponds. For a listing of the hazardous fuels and ecosystem restoration projects, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/05/0147.xml
Community Development Funding Secretary Vilsack announced the selection of nearly $56.6 million in essential community facilities and emergency responder projects that are being funded through ARRA. The 267 projects will help communities in 39 states. All of the funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program, which helps finance and develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include childcare centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings, and transportation. These funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations, and recognized Indian tribes. For a list of funding by state: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/05/0172.xml
Water Projects Funding Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced the selection of nearly $143 million in water and environmental projects that are being funded through ARRA. The projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities in 21 states through Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program. Project list for water and wastewater funding: http://www.usda.gov/documents/ARRA_Water_Funding.pdf
Rural Development Secretary Vilsack announced the selection of more than $615.8 million in water and environmental projects that are being funded immediately with funds provided through ARRA. The projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities in 34 states. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0136.xml
USDA Funding Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced that the USDA will be sending $84.8 million to state and local governments to improve water quality, increase water supply, decrease soil erosion, and improve fish and wildlife habitat in rural communities as part of ARRA. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has worked closely with sponsors to identify projects that are ready for immediate implementation. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OBcontentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0110.xml
Watershed Projects The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) ARRA programs fund flood plain easements and investments in watershed infrastructure improvements. Watershed rehabilitation projects will mitigate the risks of failure and threats to public safety posed by aging flood control infrastructure. Potential projects are being evaluated and specific information will be posted as implementation proceeds.
Watershed Rehabilitation Funding Provided: $50,000,000 Watershed Operations Funding Provided: $145,000,000 Flood Plain Easements Funding Provided: $145,000,000 ($30,000,000 maximum for any one state) http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/recovery/implementation.html
