Berwick, Jul 22, 2011 -- Local Contact:

Dawn Knepp (717) 237-2286

USDA Rural Development Announces Funding for Berwick Industrial Development Association, Inc.

Berwick, PA, July 22, 2011 – USDA Rural Development State Director Thomas Williams today announced a Rural Business Enterprise Grant for Berwick Industrial Development Association, Inc (BIDA).

Funding will be used to rehabilitate a 300,000 gallon water tank utilized for fire protection in the BIDA Industrial Complex. The Berwick Industrial Development Association is an economic development group that helps businesses, site selection consultants, and commercial realtors find available land and buildings in Berwick, Pennsylvania. They also help identify sources for financial assistance packages. 

According to Williams, “Building the infrastructure of rural Pennsylvania communities is just one of the many ways Rural Development is stimulating small business growth within rural areas.”

The RBEG program provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses, distance learning networks, and employment related adult education programs.

Through its Rural Development mission area, USDA administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of approximately 110 employees located in 11 offices throughout Pennsylvania. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers, and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. For more information on programs offered by USDA Rural Development, contact the Pennsylvania State Office at (717) 237-2299 or visit the Rural Development website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_rbeg.html.

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