WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced over $5 billion in new investments into rural communities during his visit to Northfield, Minn., on Nov. 1.

Biden visited Dutch Creek Farms to lead his administration’s Investing in Rural America Event Series, where he detailed the latest investments.

A portion of the $5 billion will go toward climate-smart agriculture. Through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), nearly $1.7 billion will be distributed to support climate-smart agriculture practices that have direct climate mitigation benefits, advance other environmental co-benefits and offer producers new revenue streams.

USDA additionally announced $1.1 billion across 104 loan and grant awards to bring new jobs, clean water and fuel, and reliable electricity to people in almost every state. This funding includes $5 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to further increase the availability of renewable, homegrown biofuels.

Driving job growth, access to health care, affordable housing, clean water and energy, is a $2 billion investment across 99 economic development projects through the Rural Partners Network. The projects will occur in different states and Puerto Rico.

Furthermore, USDA is investing $274 million to expand high-speed internet access and $145 million to aid producers and rural businesses owners in energy efficiency improvements.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack commented on the investments in a recent tweet.

“By investing in America’s heartland, @POTUS (President Biden) and @USDA are promoting innovation, job creation, & opportunity nationwide,” he wrote on the social media platform X. “Thanks to historic pieces of legislation, like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we have the tools to put this plan into action.”