Middletown, DE August 23, 2006 – U.S. Senator Tom Carper, Congressman Mike Castle, and USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott visited the M.O.T. Senior Center to announce more than $40,000 in federal grant funds that will help pay for furniture and equipment to support the 5,500 square foot expansion project that is underway. "When the M.O.T. Senior Center opened in 1993, no one thought that in only 13 years the membership would be nearing 1,000 people, said Senator Carper. The growth of this area is unprecedented and this expansion will allow the Senior Center to grow like the town around it."

The M.O.T. Senior Center started in the early 1970’s on North Broad Street and moved to its current location on South Scott Street in 1993. The 8,000 square foot building will soon offer over 13,000 square feet of space to some 1,000 members that use the facility for a variety of cooking, exercise, craft and adult learning classes. "Senior Centers are often the glue that holds the community together, providing social interaction and educational opportunities for the seniors in the area," said Congressman Castle.  "Through this funding and the subsequent renovations, the Middletown Senior Center will be able to create an environment of healthy living and education for the 1,000  seniors  who use the facilities.  These improvements are desperately needed and definitely long overdue."

The USDA Rural Development grant in the amount of $43,636 will allow the center to upgrade an antiquated phone system, purchase new dining room tables and chairs and even help provide for a podium, PA System and collapsible stage that will be used by the seniors for performances and outside organizations for conferences. "Senior Centers are the hub of activity for many individuals age 50 and over; they promote well being, fun and fellowship for all who walk through their doors," said Elliott. "What we do at USDA Rural Development is to help improve the quality of life and increase economic opportunity in rural America, what better way to return the people’s money than to strengthen a community senior center."

Construction started on the expansion project in early August and is expected to be completed in February. "With ever rising material and construction costs, the senior center campaign is still in need of $700,000 to complete its expansion program," said Tony Kobus, M.O.T. Senior Center Campaign Chair. "This grant from the USDA will be applied to furnishing the new addition and is gratefully appreciated. The M.O.T. area has experienced a huge growth in the number of aging residents in need of the M.O.T. Senior Center’s services. We are very thankful for the support and recognition from our government." The M.O.T. hours of operation are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The senior center can be reached by calling 302-378-4758.

USDA Rural Development has over 40 programs that involve homeownership opportunities, rental housing, home repair, business development, community facilities and community infrastructure. Last year, the agency returned more than $33 million to rural Delaware. To learn more about the agency and the programs that they offer, visit their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov or call their local office located in Dover at (302) 741-2600, ext. 4.

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