Tanner delivers $50,000 for farm-business education in Lauderdale County

                                                                                                               

September 2, 2009 - HALLS, Tenn.—U.S. Rep. John Tanner and USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode today announced a federal investment of $50,000 to equip the new regional Agricultural Learning Center for distance-learning, agri-business development and community development meetings. The presentation was made at the Big Red Barn under construction at Halls High School.

 

"This investment will greatly help our rural agricultural community, our young people and the development of our regional economy to foster business growth," Tanner said. "We are always proud of partnerships such as this where local leaders understand the importance of working together to create new private-sector job opportunities."

 

The Lauderdale County Board of Education is building the Ag Learning Center on the campus of Halls High School with a $150,000 Agricultural Enhancement Grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) and $83,000 raised locally. The Rural Development grant announced today will fund the purchase and installation of equipment needed to provide the meeting facility with a range of live meeting and distance-learning capabilities.

 

"Farmers and other small business owners provide jobs that create a healthy, diversified local economy," said Goode. "Thanks to the support of Congressman Tanner, Rural Development has the financial resources to partner with all these state and local leaders to provide new opportunities for success in Lauderdale County."

 

The University of Tennessee Extension Service plans to use the facilities to offer local access to courses like Master Beef Producers and Beef Quality Assurance Certification. The University of Tennessee at Martin will offer a range of business development and adult education courses. The unique classroom, arena and barn facility will also provide area high school students with opportunities to earn college credit in agri-business and related fields of study.

 

The Ag Learning Center is expected to be fully operational before the end of the year.

 

Others participating in the announcement event included Sen. Lamar Alexander's representative Matt Varino, Sen. Bob Corker's representative Nick Kistenmacher, TDA Deputy Commissioner Terry Oliver, Lauderdale County Mayor Rod Schuh, Halls Mayor Eugene Pugh, Superintendent of Schools Joey Hassell, Vocational Agriculture Teachers Windy Willette and Missy Hammond, State Sen. Mark Norris, State Rep. Craig Fitzhugh and RD Area Director Harriet Cannon and staff Billy Lane.

 

TDA's Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program supports agricultural education activities and encourages better livestock management practices. TAEP was established in 2005 by Governor Phil Bredesen and funded by the Tennessee General Assembly to support agricultural development activities aimed at increasing farm income in the state.

 

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.

 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

 

USDA Rural Development invests in business development, community infrastructure, homeownership, affordable rental housing and technology to improve the quality of life in rural communities. 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.

 

More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in Lauderdale County contact the Rural Development Area Office in Jackson at 731-668-2091, toll free at 1-800-342-3149 ext. 1495 or visit us online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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