HARRISBURG, PA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it invested $480 million in rural Pennsylvania during fiscal year 2025, channeling federal dollars into housing, infrastructure, energy, and agribusiness projects aimed at strengthening local economies and accelerating private investment across the Commonwealth.
The funding, delivered through the department’s Rural Development programs, supported roughly 2,000 individual investments statewide, with a heavy focus on affordable housing, rural energy initiatives, and agricultural and business development, according to the agency.
“Donald Trump is delivering on his promise to help rural Americans purchase homes, secure the high-paying skilled trade jobs of the future, and have access to clean, affordable energy,” said Neal Robbins, deputy under secretary for Rural Development. He said the department plans to continue emphasizing “growth, opportunity, and results” as it moves into its 2026 investment cycle in Pennsylvania.
By category, USDA Rural Development reported investing $279 million in affordable housing programs, $122 million in community facilities and infrastructure projects, and $79 million in economic development and agribusiness initiatives, bringing total fiscal year 2025 investments in the state to $480 million.
Michael Cabell, Pennsylvania state director for USDA Rural Development, said the funding reflects a broader commitment to rural communities that underpin the state’s economy. He described the investments as long-term commitments rather than one-time expenditures, noting their impact on housing stability, emergency services, workforce development, and education.
Several projects across the state were highlighted as examples of how the funding is being used. In Berks County, Union Fire Company No. 1 of Hamburg received a $950,000 Community Facilities Direct Loan to purchase a new emergency response rescue engine, supporting fire and rescue services for more than 10,000 residents.
In western Pennsylvania, Disability Options Network Services was awarded a $176,277 Housing Preservation Grant to assist 18 very low- and low-income homeowners with essential repairs across Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, and Westmoreland counties, with a focus on residents with disabilities.
Agribusiness funding included a $3.5 million Business and Industry Loan to Pine Creek Seed Farm to refinance debt and continue seed processing and distribution operations. In northeastern Pennsylvania, the Wyoming County Community Health Foundation received a $99,000 Rural Business Development Grant to launch an EMS staffing program designed to address workforce shortages across seven emergency medical service providers.
Education and connectivity were also targeted. Northern Potter School District received a $356,817 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant to equip four sites in Potter and McKean counties, expanding access to dual-credit courses, STEM education, and remote professional development for more than 1,300 rural residents.
USDA Rural Development supports rural communities nationwide through loans, grants, and loan guarantees designed to improve access to housing, healthcare, education, broadband, and critical infrastructure. Federal officials said the Pennsylvania investments are part of a broader effort to promote long-term economic security and prosperity in rural America.
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