USDA Rural Development Obligates $2 Million Eastern N.C. Rural Communities

(Powellsville, N.C., October 15, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Director of State Operations Robert Hosford participated in commitment of funds ceremonies for the Lincoln Height Community Center and Bertie County Fire, Rescue and Public Safety today.

The Lincoln Height Community Center will utilize a $950,000 USDA Community Facilities Grant to construct a 1,500 square-foot facility that will serve as a modern hub for job creation, economic development, and workforce development services for residents of Halifax County. Additionally, the center provides essential community programming, including free summer camps for children and tax preparation services for seniors.

Bertie County will utilize a $1 million USDA Community Facilities Grant to purchase personal protective equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus, VIPER-compliant radios, fire hose, and other equipment associated with hazardous responses. The new equipment will reduce emergency response times and safeguard the Bertie County community during critical incidents.

"Under President Trump's leadership and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins' commitment to strengthening rural America, USDA Rural Development is making strategic investments that improve the quality of life for families across eastern North Carolina," said Director of State Operations Hosford. "These nearly $2 million in investments demonstrate our commitment to building stronger, safer, and more prosperous rural communities. From creating opportunities for workforce development and economic growth in Halifax County to equipping Bertie County's first responders with the tools they need to protect lives and property, we are ensuring rural communities have the resources they need to thrive for generations to come."

USDA's Community Facilities Loan and Grant program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

To learn more about USDA Rural Development programs, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/nc.

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