NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

Georgetown, DE November 16, 2007 – USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott announced a $1.2 million USDA Rural Development loan to Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) for a new law office to serve downstate residents. Support for the project came from members of Delaware’s Congressional Delegation:

“In the 35 years that the Community Legal Aid Society has been serving this area, it has touched countless numbers of lives,” said Senator Thomas Carper. “This USDA loan will allow them to keep doing what they do best; bringing members of the community together to work together for the benefit of Georgetown and its residents.”

"It is extremely important to provide legal services in every community throughout the state, particularly in rural areas," Representative Mike Castle said. "I applaud USDA's efforts to assist Community Legal Aid expand its operations. CLASI is a valuable organization that has been serving Delaware for decades, and this new site will allow them to continue their great work."

CLASI is a private, non-profit law firm that provides free legal help to people who cannot afford to pay a lawyer. The USDA Rural Development loan will assist CLASI in the purchase and renovation of an existing building located in the Georgetown Professional Park. Part of the new facility will be rented out by CLASI to other non-profit organizations.

"Helping to improve the quality of life for rural residents is what our programs are designed to do," said Elliott. "Our community facilities program is one of our more versatile programs that can help public bodies and non-profit organizations improve services to rural residents. From health care to public safety to education and more the Community Facilities program can help thousands of people in rural areas with access to improved services and facilities. We are pleased to support CLASI in continuing their mission to help people become self sufficient and meet basic needs with dignity."

CLASI has 3 offices scattered throughout the State located in Wilmington, Dover, and Georgetown. The law firm has been a public service provider in the Georgetown community for 35 years and serves members of our community who have low incomes, people living with disabilities or who are age 60 and over. Their new location will offer ample parking and an improved office environment that is designed to better serve their customers.

“This is a great step forward for CLASI and its work in Sussex County,” said Christopher White, Esq., Executive Director, CLASI. The new office will provide us with security and accessibility that we do not have in our current office. The funding from USDA at such a low interest rate made this move possible and enabled us to keep the rents low for our non-profit tenants. It has been a pleasure working with the USDA staff.”

The USDA Rural Development loan is for 30 years at 4.25%. CLASI is expected to move to their new facility in the spring 2008. To learn more about CLASI and the law services that they provide you can visit them at their website at www.declasi.org or call their Georgetown office at (302) 856-0038.

USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities. Last year, the agency returned $42 million to rural Delaware. They have over 40 loan, grant and loan guarantee programs that support agriculture, business opportunities, home ownership, home repair, rental housing, broadband technology, public safety, health care, education, social and cultural needs and energy related projects. Additional information on rural programs is available by calling their State Office located in Dover at (302) 857-3580, their Georgetown Office at (302) 856-3990, ext. 5 or by visiting their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov. TTY users should call (302) 857-3585.

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Committed to the future of rural communities.

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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).