Utilities Programs Grants

Electricity, telephone, water and waste disposal services have been taken for granted in American cities since at least the 1920's. But if you lived in a rural area only 60 years ago, chances are you went without these necessities of modern life and high standard of living they make possible.

Modern utilities came to rural America through some of the most successful government initiatives in American history, carried out through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) working with rural cooperatives, nonprofit associations, public bodies, and for-profit utilities. Today, USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs carries on this tradition helping rural utilities expand and keep their technology up to date, helping establish new and vital services such as distance learning and telemedicine.

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