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CHICAGO (AP) — Federal officials say Illinois is among 14 states benefiting from $65 million in investments for the improvement of community facilities in rural areas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission in southern Illinois will get a $1.8 million loan to build a new office. Officials say they plan to lease a part of the space to another nonprofit agency, Man-Tra-Con. Both organization offer technical assistance and economic development to the following counties: Jackson, Franklin, Jefferson, Perry and Williamson.

Federal officials say the investments will benefit more than 600,000 rural residents.