Search Results for keywords:"United States Department of Agriculture"

The Rural Utilities Service of the USDA has announced that applications are open for the Community Connect Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2025. This program provides approximately $26 million to help construct broadband networks in rural areas lacking such services. Eligible entities like incorporated organizations, state or local governments, and Indian tribes can apply for grants ranging from $100,000 to $5,000,000 to ensure rural communities have access to affordable, high-speed internet. Applications must be submitted online between February 20, 2025, and April 21, 2025.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS), a part of the United States Department of Agriculture, is inviting applications for Section 514 Off-Farm Labor Housing loans and Section 516 Off-Farm Labor Housing grants. These funds are aimed at building new housing for domestic farm laborers, including retired or disabled ones, to boost affordable housing availability. The process involves a pre-application and final application phase, and RHS encourages applications that offer benefits to rural communities, especially those in Opportunity Zones or persistent poverty areas. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and the deadline for submissions is outlined in the notice.

The Foreign Agricultural Service, part of the USDA, has announced the implementation of a special agricultural safeguard duty on certain sugary products. This action follows the determination that the import volume of products containing over 65% sugar has exceeded the annual limit of 1,252 metric tons. The additional duties will vary and be applied from April 16, 2025, to September 30, 2025, based on the specific product classification within the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. However, products from certain countries, like Canada and Mexico, are exempt from these duties.