Federal funding announced for two regional projects

                                                                                                               

November 06, 2009 - PARIS, Tenn.—USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode today announced federal funding for two multi-county projects totaling $105,000. The event took place at the Henry County Courthouse.

 

Community Action Network, Inc., (CAN) Chairperson Rozann Downing said her organization will use a $100,000 Rural Development grant to help about 90 eligible low-income homeowners correct health or safety issues and make needed accommodations or improve accessibility for those with disabilities. The organization serves people in Benton, Carroll, Henry, Humphreys and Weakley Counties. CAN will invest an additional $60,000 in cash and in-kind contributions and a State Disability Housing Program Grant of $40,000 bringing the total investment to $200,000. For details and assistance with the application process contact CAN staff in Paris at (731) 642-8208.

 

Henry County Mayor Brent Greer said that the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee will match a $5,000 Rural Development Grant. The funds will be used to develop a four-county (Carroll, Benton, Henry, and Weakley) economic development consortium to attract companies that use polysilicon to manufacture electronic components like integrated circuits, central processing units and solar power panels. The Hemlock Corporation, slated to open next year in Clarksville, will be a major producer of the material.

 

"The Industrial Committee and the Community Action Network are working to increase economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for people living and working in rural Tennessee," said Goode. "Thanks to our congressional delegation Rural Development financial resources help our partners put plans like these into action."

 

Others participating in the event included Sen. Lamar Alexander’s representative Matt Varino, Sen. Bob Corker’s representative Jennifer Weems, Rep. John Tanner’s Representative Tom Turner, Paris Mayor Sam Tharpe, State Representative Willie Borchert, Henry County Chamber representative Giala Thompson, McKenzie EDC representative Billy Bartsdale, NWTDD representative John Bucy, WTIA representative Jim Blankenship, CAN Board of Directors representative Paul Jones and staff, RD Acting Area Director Harriet Cannon and staff Van Wylie, Mitzi Hailey, Arlissa Armstrong and Denise Hicks.

 

Rural Development housing programs help families and individuals in rural areas improve their economic security through affordable home loans and homebuyer education opportunities. Financing is also available for quality, affordable rental housing and for qualified repairs to owner-occupied homes.

 

Rural Development business grant programs help local governments and non-profit organizations improve local business infrastructure and promote job growth. Business loan-guarantees are also available for private lenders to increase the pool of investment capital available for business start-up, modernization and expansion in eligible rural areas.

 

USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, community infrastructure, homeownership and affordable rental housing in rural communities. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 866,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $619 million in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in Northwest Tennessee contact the Rural Development Area Office in Union City at 731-885-6480 ext. 4, toll free at 1-800-342-3149 extension 1497, or visit us online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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