USDA funds expected to make downtown Frankfort safer

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture is providing more than a quarter-million dollars to create a new truck route that will allow semis, heavy trucks, and other traffic to go around Frankfort, rather than going through the city's downtown area.

The federal agency announced the loan Monday morning. In all, forty rural communities were awarded $50 million, the USDA said. It estimated 631,000 people will benefit from the investments.

Frankfort plans to improve two city blocks as well as curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and stormwater drainage systems. The Marshall Co. town of 726 says the project will make the intersection safer.

The funding comes from the USDA's

Community Facilities Direct Loan Program

. It still has more than $2 billion available this year to help rural rural communities, by investigating in their community facilities and infrastructure.

“Modern and accessible education, health care, public safety and municipal services are foundational to quality of life in any community,” Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley said

Those wishing to apply are asked to contact their USDA Rural Development

state office