WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced nearly $2.4 million in federal loans and grants for public facilities projects and water infrastructure in rural communities in Ohio. The recovery funds, allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Community Facilities program, will provide $2,277,000 in loans for Northern Ohio Rural Water to support communities in Erie, Huron, Lorain, Sandusky, and Seneca counties, and $77,000 in loans and $40,000 in grants to support the City of Rittman’s rural service and infrastructure projects.

“These funds come at a critical moment for rural communities,” Brown said. “The economic climate has affected all regions of Ohio. We have to ensure that rural towns have the quality infrastructure and community centers they deserve.”

Funds through the USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities program are directed to support critical rural community development projects including health care facilities, child care centers, emergency response and enforcement stations and infrastructure improvements. For more information about USDA recovery funding opportunities, please visit Brown’s recovery Web page HERE or visit the USDA Recovery Act site HERE.