Dr. Ruiz Announces Over $7.3 Million in USDA Rural Development Grants for Communities in the Coachella Valley

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) announced two United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grants for $4,811,000 and $2,540,600 to the Coachella Valley Water District. The funds will be used to extend water and sewer services for the San Cristobal/Los Vinedos Farm Labor Housing project and the San Antonio Del Desierto (St. Anthony’s) mobile home park in Mecca, CA. These grants come after Dr. Ruiz toured and advocated for these communities with USDA Deputy Undersecretary, Patrice Kunesh in April.

“These grants will improve lives in the Coachella Valley. Growing up in a farmworker community and caring for many patients from underserved areas in our valley as a physician, I know the critical need for these grants to ensure access to clean water and sanitation to improve the lives and health of everyone I serve,” said Dr. Ruiz. “I am proud to have advocated directly to the USDA for these grants and will continue to work to bring attention to infrastructure needs across our district.”

In April of this year, Dr. Ruiz hosted USDA Deputy Undersecretary, Patrice Kunesh on a tour of Coachella Valley farmworker communities. During this tour, Dr. Ruiz highlighted the critical need for clean water and sanitation infrastructure in farmworker communities in the Coachella Valley.

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