"Heritage tourism is a growing segment of the travel
industry and people visiting to research their ancestors tend to stay longer and
spend more with local businesses," said Goode. "Thanks to the support of our
congressional delegation, Rural Development has the financial resources to
invest in a building like this that provides educational opportunities and
attracts customers for local businesses in
According to Grundy County Historical Society President
Janelle Taylor the $40,000 RD Community Facility Loan and $10,000 grant will be
used to purchase and outfit a building to house the society's heritage museum
and library. The collections have outgrown the capacity of their present home at
the Grundy County Library. The move will also create additional space for the
library and provide much needed meeting space for community
organizations.
Rural Development community programs finance
construction of or improvements to essential services like reliable access to
clean water, wastewater treatment, healthcare, education, job training and first
responder facilities. Loan-guarantees encourage private lenders to expand the
availability of affordable financing in rural communities. Direct loans and
grants create sound financial opportunities for local governments to meet
essential infrastructure needs.
Others participating in the event included Rep. Lincoln
Davis' Representative Sammy Lowdermilk, Grundy County Mayor Ladue Bouldin and RD
Chattanooga Area Director Rickey Hickman and staff David Collett, Colleen Price
and Alisa Farmer.
USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, businesses,
community infrastructure, homeownership and affordable rental housing in rural
communities. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 866,000
For more information on Rural Development programs
available in southeast
###