$10,000 will promote small business development in Cumberland County

                                                                                                               

June 29, 2009- CROSSVILLE, Tenn.—Rural Development Area Director Joe Woody and Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Beth Alexander today announced an investment of $10,000 to increase small business development opportunities and promote community events. The check presentation took place at the Chamber office in Crossville.

 

"Small business is the economic engine of rural communities, creating jobs and helping maintain a healthy, diversified local economy," said Woody. "This investment will help the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber keep up with technological advances that ensure local resources are in place to support small business development and help entrepreneurs grow new jobs for the area."

                                                

The Rural Development grant will be used to make needed upgrades to the Chamber’s website, and provide new tools for marketing area businesses to visitors and locals. The Chamber is contributing an additional $10,000 to the project.

 

"Visitors to our area contribute greatly to our local economy," said Alexander. "By partnering with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Crossville Housing Authority Resident Council and USDA, we're giving our visitors another avenue to find out up to date information about our area."

 

Rural Development’s rural business enterprise grant program provides assistance to local governments and non-profit organizations that assist small businesses, develop local business infrastructure, provide job training, conduct feasibility studies or provide technical assistance to businesses and community leaders.

 

Others participating in the presentation included Sen. Lamar Alexander’s representative Lyndsay Botts, Sen. Bob Corker’s representative David Leaverton, Rep. Lincoln Davis' representative John Robbins, Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill, Crossville Mayor J.H. Graham III, Resident Council President Irene Melton, Crossville City Manager Ted Meadows and RD Area Staff Jimmy Allen and Alice Wills.

 

USDA Rural Development invests in rural communities through business development, community and homeownership programs. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in the Cumberland County area contact the Rural Development Area Office in Cookeville at 931-528-6539 ext 2, toll free at 800-342-3149 ext. 1493 or visit us online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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