SOUTHWEST TECH BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW STUDENT HOUSING FACILITY

$1.15 Million provided by USDA Rural Development for the project

FENNIMORE, WI – SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 –USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director, Stan Gruszynski, joined Representatives from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Southwest Tech Foundation and other State and Local Officials for a groundbreaking ceremony today. The festivities marked the official commencement of the new Southwest Tech student housing facility.

Southwest Tech Foundation received a $1.15 million loan for the construction on the student housing facility through the Community Facility Direct Loan Program of USDA Rural Development.

“If there is a need that can help a rural community or organization, Rural Development wants to be there to help,” said Gruszynski.  “It’s always thrilling to deliver assistance and see the difference it makes in communities and those affected by the projects we help to make a reality.  We’re here to help and hopefully other communities and organizations will follow the lead of Southwest Tech Foundation to acquire the assistance they need in order to better support and meet the needs of the people they serve.” 

The college’s expansion in program offerings has increased the demand for student housing, creating an annual waiting list. USDA Rural Development funds will be used to construct an eight unit complex that will provide an additional 32 Southwest Tech students with on campus housing. The construction marks the beginning of Phase Four of the College’s student housing project and will be the last housing complex constructed on the Southwest Tech campus. 

In the last fiscal year, USDA Rural Development has awarded over $13.4 million through its Community Facilities Programs to rural Wisconsin communities, which can provide financing for the construction, purchase, and/or renovation of various essential community facilities through direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants. 

USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility Programs provides grants to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population.  Loans, guarantees and grants are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as to non-profit corporations and tribal governments.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As the lead federal agency for rural development needs, USDA Rural Development administered over $547 million dollars this past year to rural Wisconsin communities. Funds are used to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technological infrastructures. Further information on USDA Rural Development programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi.