Witnesses tell congressional subcommittee USDA rural development programs support hospitals, businesses and basic utilities

At a congressional subcommittee hearing, witnesses said USDA Rural Development programs are essential to keeping rural hospitals open, supporting small businesses and extending basic utilities such as running water.

The witnesses described how the agency’s Community Facilities program and the Business and Industry (BNI) loan guarantee program provide funding that officials and local leaders say helps sustain rural hospitals, builds community infrastructure and supports job creation.

"Today we're going to hear from, great rural leaders and former USDA rural development officials about why the programs and services that, rural development provide to, rural America are so incredibly important," Speaker 1, unidentified meeting participant, said at the start of the hearing. Speaker 3, unidentified participant, described the Community Facilities program as one source of affordable funding to "build and construct essential rural…