Wednesday, Aug 24 2011 3:14PM
One of the grants will help the Atmautluak Traditional Council in Alaska train a construction workforce in energy-efficient building.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it will provide $28 million in grants from its new Rural Innovation Fund to nearly 50 rural and tribal communities nationwide to assist with affordable housing and other economic needs.
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan stated these grants should help address distressed housing conditions and aid disadvantaged residents in rural areas, as well as promote entrepreneurialism in these communities.
"Rural America is vast and diverse, and different communities face different challenges and opportunities," said Donovan. "Because there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to strengthening rural communities, this funding provides flexible resources to address either housing or economic development needs, or both."
He added the grants are particularly essential for rural communities with limited access to resources due to their distant locations.
The Atmautluak Traditional Council in Alaska will be one recipient of grant money from HUD, and will use the funds to train a construction workforce in energy-efficient building.