Alaska receives $8.1 million in rural grant money

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- The federal government has promised nearly $8.2 million in grant money for rural economic development.

The money will assist in creating community services in health care, education and public safety in areas of high unemployment and economic depression.

The grant is a special initiative under a Department of Agriculture Rural Development program.

Nationwide, more than 150 projects will receive $16.5 million.

The projects must be essential community facilities and services for public use in rural communities.

Communities must have a population of fewer than 20,000 people and an unemployment rate of at least 19 percent to qualify.