The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development office in Virginia recently announced an agency investment in Fiscal Year 2017 to help improve rural infrastructure for Farmville.

“Targeted investment in rural infrastructure means more jobs for rural Virginia,” said Beth Green, USDA rural development Virginia state director. “The Community Facilities Direct Loan Program ensures that our rural communities have the essential community infrastructure and services necessary to spur economic growth and create jobs.”

According to a press release, the Town of Farmville received a $94,000 Community Facilities Direct Loan to purchase a Flail Mower Boom Tractor to clear right-of-ways in order to maintain clean highways that attract new businesses.

“The Town also received a $25,000 USDA Community Facilities Grant for this project,” officials said in the release.

“The flail mower is used to cut hard to reach areas along highways in the Town,” said Farmville Town Manager Gerald Spates. “We were able to use our old flail mower for 25 years, which is a long time for a piece of machinery of its kind.”

Spates said the new mower will allow the town to more efficiently keep right of ways cut, which enhances the appearance of the town.

“We receive numerous compliments from individuals about how clean the Town is and this aids us greatly in being able to attract new businesses to the town,” Spates said. “There is one full time job with this purchase. Without the support of the Rural Development this project would not be possible.”

The release cited that the announcement comes as a part of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s national announcement today highlighting USDA investments in Fiscal Year 2017 that will help construct or improve infrastructure and boost economic growth in rural communities.

“USDA is focused on improving rural America’s infrastructure,” Perdue said in the release. “Investments such as the ones I’m highlighting today will improve the quality of life, create jobs, grow our economy and foster prosperity in rural areas.”

In Fiscal Year 2017, USDA used funding from the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program to invest more than $40 million in 31 projects to repair, enhance or build infrastructure.

“These investments were for projects such as surface transportation, aviation, ports, water and storm water resources, energy production and generation and electricity transmission,” officials said in the release. “They will benefit nearly 265,000 residents. Virginia is just one of a handful of states announced today that received funding through this program.”

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. The release cited the assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.