WASHINGTON, July 28, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the first round of investments in rural infrastructure projects through the U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund. Through the Fund and its expanded public-private partnerships, USDA has facilitated the investment of nearly $161 million in private capital 22 critical water and community facilities projects in 14 states, maximizing the impact of USDA's own investments in job-creating rural infrastructure projects across the country.

"The Fund and USDA's other public-private partnership efforts help to facilitate private investment in rural businesses and infrastructure projects and maximize USDA's own record investments in rural America," said Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary and Chair of the White House Rural Council. "USDA and other agencies invest in infrastructure through a variety of federal initiatives, but our resources are finite and there are backlogs of projects in many parts of the economy. Efforts like the Fund help encourage substantial private investment in even more projects that help to grow the rural economy and support rural communities where people want to live, work and raise their families."

Strong, secure infrastructure-roads and bridges, but also internet access and community facilities like hospitals and schools-improves connectivity and access to information, moves products to market, and makes communities competitive and attractive to new businesses and investments.

Investments include 11 community facilities projects in Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wisconsin, including building new nursing homes, constructing new preschool and day care facilities, constructing a new facility for a rural ambulance service that covers a 685 square mile area in South Dakota, and building or upgrading two new critical access hospitals in rural Illinois and North Carolina. In addition, the Fund invested in 11 critical water projects in California, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas. Projects include upgrades to existing water systems and the construction of a new reservoir. At least 38 additional critical infrastructure projects are in the pipeline for investment.

The U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund is part of a broader effort across the Department to rethink how to best leverage private sector resources to revitalize and reenergize the rural economy. Last year, Secretary Vilsack announced the creation of a $150 million privately-funded Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC), which has already made three investments in rural businesses with high-growth potential. Earlier this year, Secretary Vilsack announced the launch of two additional new privately-funded RBICs, which will be run by Innova Memphis and Meritus Kirchner Capital. Once the capital has been raised, these companies will make equity investments in rural businesses with high-growth potential. Efforts like the Fund and the RBICs help to maximize USDA's own portfolio of investments in rural development.

CoBank, as anchor investor, agreed to commit up to $10 billion of its balance sheet capacity to lend in conjunction with the Fund, consistent with CoBank's existing authority. AgStar Financial Services, another Farm Credit institution, also made investments in the first year. Capitol Peak Asset Management manages the Fund, has developed a strong pipeline of infrastructure related projects and investments, is working to recruit additional investors, and is providing capital advisory services to companies in rural America. The USDA and other federal agencies are helping to identify rural projects that could be potential beneficiaries of financing through this new Fund and other private sources.

This announcement comes in conjunction with the second White House Rural Opportunity Investment Conference in Washington, DC, focused on building equity capital in rural America. The conference will connect senior leaders from financial institutions, fixed income funds, and other investors with rural business leaders, senior-level Government officials, economic development experts, and program sponsors to discuss the unmet need for investments in rural America-matching investments with opportunities. This year's conference builds on the work of the first-ever conference, held last year at the White House and focused on debt investments. The U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund was announced at last year's conference.

Over the past six years, USDA has made historic investments in every state to support the farmers, ranchers and growers who are driving the rural economy forward, carry out record conservation efforts, facilitate groundbreaking research, promote new markets for rural products, and provide a safe, affordable and nutritious food supply for American families. To see how USDA has invested in your state, visit www.usda.gov/results.

About the White House Rural Council

To address challenges in Rural America, build on the Administration's rural economic strategy, and improve the implementation of that strategy, the President signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council. The Council coordinates the Administration's efforts in rural America by streamlining and improving the effectiveness of federal programs serving rural America; engage stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, and local citizens, on issues and solutions in rural communities; and promoting and coordinating private-sector partnerships. The work of the White House Rural Council and USDA to bring investment to rural America is an example of how the Administration is creating smart partnerships with the private sector to better support Americans in all parts of the country.

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Red Skelton - The Legend Continues starring Tom Mullica comes to Amana on August 27 - 30 to perform his award winning show on the Old Creamery Theatre's Main Stage.

Shows are August 27- 30 at 2:00 pm with a special evening performance on August 29 at 7:30 pm.

Tom Mullica's tribute is the only Red Skelton Tribute show in America Authorized by the Red Skelton Estate and Lothian Skelton!

Tom Mullica Transforms himself into Red Skelton, the legendary comic who is beckoned to regale the audience with his rubber-faced pantomimes, ageless sight gags, obscenity-free jokes, and a legion of memorable characters.

Tom Mullica knew Red Skelton.  Red Skelton gave Tom permission to use material from Red's long-running TV show.  Tom brings Red Skelton's famous characters to vivid life: Clem Klediddlehopper, Gertrude and Heathcliff, Guzzler's Gin, Freddie the Freeloader.

Tickets are $28.50 for adults and $18.50 for students.

Season tickets are not valid for this special event. Call the box office for tickets and information 319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on House Republican leaders to bring a long-term highway bill up for a vote before adjourning for the August recess. Currently, the House has only passed a short-term extension of the bill and, according to recent news reports, Republican leaders have said the House will not consider long-term legislation before leaving for its annual August recess. The Senate is debating its own long-term extension this week. On Friday, funding for highway projects nationwide will run out if an extension is not agreed to.

"It is beyond irresponsible for Republican leaders in the House to go on recess without passing a long-term bill that invests in our nation's infrastructure. A long-term transportation bill is necessary to address urgent transportation and infrastructure needs, create jobs for Iowans and is central to economic development across the country. It will also ensure businesses and farmers can transport their goods more efficiently to compete in the 21st Century economy. Another short-term, shortsighted extension will only cause more uncertainty, keeping state and local governments from being able to effectively plan for future projects. Congress should remain in session until a long-term plan is agreed to."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Iowa Representative Dave Loebsack and Missouri Representative Sam Graves today introduced a bipartisan bill to address critical healthcare shortages in rural communities.

"Rural hospitals are bedrocks of their communities, providing more than just high quality, local access to health care," Rep. Loebsack said. "Rural hospitals stimulate the local economy, creating jobs in the hospital and the community. Without local health care, lives and communities are lost. Our bill will save rural Iowans as well as the communities where they have built their lives."

"In the past two years, more rural hospitals have closed than in the previous ten years combined," Rep. Graves said. "These closures have left millions of Missourians, particularly the elderly, vulnerable during times of medical emergency. The Save Rural Hospitals Act will stop impending hospital closures and ensure all rural Americans have access to the healthcare they need."

Nearly 300 rural hospitals could be closed in the coming years, leaving 700,000 Americans at risk of losing access to their closest emergency room. This comes as nearly 80 percent of rural counties are facing primary care health professional shortages, and 9 percent of those counties have no physician at all.

The Save Rural Hospitals Act will eliminate the Medicare sequester for rural hospitals, and it provides a permanent extension of the rural ambulance and super-rural ambulance payments. It will also provide an innovation model for rural hospitals that continue to struggle. This model will ensure access to emergency care and allow hospitals the choice to offer outpatient care that meets the health needs of their rural community.

"The National Rural Health Association applauds Representatives Graves and Loebsack on the introduction of this comprehensive legislative response to the rural hospital closures across the nation," said Jodi Schmidt, 2015 president of the nonprofit organization. "We're calling on Congress to pass this comprehensive legislation to save rural hospitals and patients and to provide a pathway to the future for rural health."