COLUMBIA, MO, Dec. 16, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Kyle Wilkens announced that USDA is investing $288,302,000 to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in Missouri. The investments reflect the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to Building a Better America by investing in rural communities and will help expand access to clean water and reliable electricity in people's homes and businesses across rural Missouri. "Infrastructure is more than just laying pipes in the ground and wires on poles," said Wilkens. "By investing in modern infrastructure, Rural Development is investing in the lives of rural Missourians. This infrastructure helps ensure our small towns have the best access possible to clean drinking water, good-paying jobs, and high speed internet, which all help to boost rural economies and build back a better America." This announcement follows the recent passage of Presiden