NEWS RELEASE

Congressman Castle Announces Federal Funding For Day Care Providers

Middletown, DE June 13, 2005 – Congressman Castle joined USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott at the home of day care provider, Angela Flannigan to announce a Rural Business Enterprise Grant to Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation that will benefit day care providers in rural Kent and Sussex counties.  “Our day care providers have a tremendous job to do and through outlets such as the USDA Rural Development program, we can help these day care providers in succeeding in that job.  Research has found that children who are nurtured perform better at school and exhibit a lower crime and delinquency rate and that is why we need to start right now, in the earliest stages of development, to give children the level of attention and nurturing they need to succeed,” said Congressman Mike Castle, Chair of the House Subcommittee on Education Reform.

The $55,000 grant presented to Nehemiah Gateway will provide them with the funds to improve the business skills of home based day care centers in rural parts of Kent and Sussex Counties.  Nehemiah Gateway is a non-profit organization based in Wilmington, DE.  The organization works to transform lives by providing the skills needed for successful employment.  The grant announced today will help them implement a program in Kent and Sussex Counties that has been successful in New Castle County.  Angela Flannigan is one of the day care providers in New Castle County who has completed the business skills training provided by Nehemiah Gateway.  The curriculum involves training on taxes, money management, financing and technology.  “For many working families, affordable, quality day care is one of the most important factors to consider before deciding to take a job,” said Elliott.  “The funding provided today will help enhance the skills of existing day care providers and hopefully encourage others to look at this as a possible occupation.”

Not many people are aware of all the loan and grant programs that USDA Rural Development can provide.  Their tagline sums it up – “Committed to the future of rural communities,” but they take that even further by explaining their programs are designed to improve the quality of life and increase economic opportunity in rural America.  Nehemiah Gateway has set a goal to train 800 providers in Kent and Sussex Counties. 

USDA Rural Development delivers programs that provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.  Further information on USDA Rural Development’s programs is available by calling their State Office that serves Delaware and Maryland at (302) 857-3580 or their local office that serves Kent and New Castle Counties at (302) 741-2600 ext. 4 or their Sussex office at (302) 856-3990, ext. 4.  You can also visit their web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,

 Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).