USDA Rural Development Invests $25 Billion to Strengthen Rural Communities Nationwide

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development recently announced nearly $25 billion in rural community investments nationwide in fiscal year 2026. These projects strengthen essential infrastructure, expand housing and business opportunities, and ensure rural families and farmers have the tools they need to succeed.

In Nebraska, Rural Development invested more than $172 million in loans and grants in fiscal year 2026 to support these efforts.

"Rural Development is delivering modern infrastructure, affordable housing, and new economic opportunities to rural communities," said USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director Neil Moseman. "These investments are creating measurable improvements in access to clean water, reliable power, health care facilities, emergency services, and safe, affordable housing, while strengthening the local economy."

These nationwide investments support local priorities in Nebraska and deliver real results for rural residents, farmers, businesses, and communities, including:

• Community Hospital Association received $75.7 million in Community Facilities Program financing for an expansion project that will add more than 70,000 square feet to its campus, including a new McCook Clinic, an expanded cancer center and improvements to the central utility plant. By expanding clinical and cancer-care capacity locally, the investment will help meet the healthcare needs of the service area's more than 30,000 residents.
• Village of Edison received $1.86 million in Water and Environmental Program financing to improve its water system. The project will rehabilitate a well that was built in 1969, replace a frequently failing cast-iron water main, and address the lack of backup capacity after the village's second well was decommissioned in 2022 due to high nitrate levels. The improvements will benefit 111 residents in the village.
• Morgan Ranch Beef Inc., based in Loup County, received a $200,000 Value-Added Producer Grant Program to process and market American Wagyu beef, expand production and efficiency, strengthen sales and marketing, and support direct sales through the ranch, farmers markets, specialty retailers, and e-commerce. The project is expected to add 120 customers and create or retain five jobs.
• More than $45 million in financing was provided through the Rural Development Single Family Housing Program, helping 279 individuals purchase or repair their homes. For example, a 63-year-old first-time homeowner in Gothenburg received a direct low-income home loan from the agency. After traveling the world as a reporter, they never expected to own a home but is now excited to have one.

The investments in Nebraska mark USDA's commitment to deliver resources that communities can rely on to improve their quality of life by focusing on the needs of rural America to help build more resilient communities across the nation.

Looking ahead, USDA Rural Development will continue to deliver targeted investments that strengthen our communities by responding to rural needs across Nebraska.

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 RD's investment data accessible to the public. For more information about USDA Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ne .

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