Press Release No. HI 08 14

Weldon Freeman (202) 690-1384

Tim O’Connell (808) 933-8313
  

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES SMALL MINORITY

PRODUCER GRANT RECIPIENTS 

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2008 – Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Douglas L. Faulkner today announced the selection of eight recipients in five states and the Territory of Guam to receive $1.3 million through the Small Minority Producer Grant program.  

“The grants awarded today will help farmers, cooperative members and business owners better market their products and services and that will ultimately add profit and efficiency to their operations,” Faulkner said. 

In Hagatna, Guam, the Farmers Cooperative Association of Guam has been selected to receive $175,000 to provide training and technical assistance to its members on farming practices and facilities management.  Hawaii Rural Development State Director Lorraine P. Shin said “The Farmers Cooperative Association of Farmers was also assisted in its formation through the efforts of USDA’s cooperative development technical assistance program.  In September 2005. we held a week-long training session in Guam for potential cooperative projects.  Several of the initial incorporators of the Farmers Cooperative Association of Guam were in attendance where the idea of the cooperative was discussed with Agency staff.  It is good to see the results of this planning effort pay off in helping Guam farmers with additional resources” 

The Winston County Self Help Cooperative in Louisville, Miss., will receive $145,000 to provide business planning services, feasibility analysis, and marketing and business formation assistance to its members. In Barry, Texas, the Navarro County Black Farmers & Ranchers League, Inc. will receive $174,600 to provide technical assistance for product improvement, marketing and customer service training.  

Small Minority Producer Grants are provided to cooperatives or associations of cooperatives to provide technical assistance to small, minority agriculture producers. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. Below is the complete list of recipients.

Small Minority Producer Grant Recipients

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested more than $90 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250. 

For more information on USDA Rural Development programs Tim O’Connell, at (808) 933-8313 or tim.oconnell@hi.usda.gov.

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Release No. HI-08-13

                                                            Contact: Lorraine P. Shin (808) 933-8302

Joseph M. Diego, (671) 472-7272

USDA OFFERS AFFORDABLE MORTGAGES

 Hagatna, Guam – July 10, 2008:   The combination of military build-up, tourist arrivals and increased foreign investment has had a remarkable impact on Guam’s real estate market over the last couple of years.  In the residential market alone, the median price of a single family dwelling has increased by nearly 80% from $114,995 in 2003 to $206,000 in 2008. 

This has probably made some people who are thinking about buying a home nervous, and with good reason. Buying your dream home does not have to be a scary event if you use a mortgage product that provides a predictable monthly payment with a fixed interest rate.

One such program that can help you with a set monthly payment is USDA Rural Development's Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) program. Through the GRH loan program, moderate-income residents of rural communities who would not normally qualify for a conventional home loan may now qualify for a home loan under the GRH program and become a successful homeowner.  Part of the benefits of the GRH program is no down payment or mortgage insurance is required. 

Unfortunately, the Village of Dededo is not eligible for this program as Dededo’s population exceeds USDA’s population limit. 

Over the last 10 years, with the assistance of local partners, banks on Guam have assisted 1,109 families become homeowners through more than $144 million in GRH financing.  For those who still cannot get a loan from a bank, Rural Development has another program that may assist homeowners.  Known as the Rural Housing Direct Loan Program, this program can help low-income families become successful homeowners. Under this program, Rural Development is the lender and payments are made by the borrower directly to the government.

According to Lorraine P. Shin, USDA Rural Development Hawaii State Director, “Helping rural citizens acquire a home is a key part of our mission,” Shin said.  “Homeownership is an important investment for individuals and families and serves as a catalyst for strong, stable communities. USDA is proud to offer programs that increase homeownership opportunities in our rural communities.”  In short, there's no question about it, buying a home is a serious financial commitment.  However, with Rural Development’s programs and various services, it is possible to become a successful homeowner even during today’s mortgage crisis.

For questions about how to apply for any of these housing programs, contact the USDA Rural Development office at 472-7361/2/3. For further information, visit USDA Rural Development’s website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural communities. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $72 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration. These investments provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Over 1.2 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development Office, or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. 

 USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250.          

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Release No. HI-08-12 

Media Contact:  Lorraine P. Shin, State Director, (808) 933-8380
Steven R. Chapman, Business Programs Director, (808) 933-8318

USDA AWARDS OVER $180,000 IN BUSINESS GRANTS 

Hilo, Hawaii, July 3, 2008- Hawaii State Director Lorraine P. Shin today announced the award of Rural Business Enterprise grants totaling $182,000 to three non-profit organizations.  They are Big Island Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council, Inc.; Pacific Gateway Center; and Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC).   

The Big Island RC&D, with a $42,000 grant, will assist Cordon Technologies, LLC in planning their development to expand the slaughterhouse operation in Paauilo.  Pacific Gateway Center will utilize their $95,000 grant to expand on their relending program to serve small and under-served rural businesses.  RCAC was approved for $45,000 to provide technical assistance to develop a comprehensive marketing study to guide new business and expansion ventures on the Island of Molokai.  “Assisting small and emerging rural businesses are critical to our mission to deliver economic opportunity to rural communities,” Shin said. 

The Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) is a business developmental grant program that promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional need.  The purpose of the RBEG is to assist public bodies and non-profit corporations finance and facilitate development of small and emerging private business enterprises located in areas outside the boundary of a city of 50,000 or more and its immediately adjacent urbanized area.   

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.  Rural Development has invested more than $90 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.  More than 1.4 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments.  Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. 

 USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250.   

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Release No. HI-08-10 

Media Contact:  Lorraine P. Shin, State Director (808) 933-8302
Timothy W. O’Connell, Assistant to the State Director (808) 933-8313 

 

Apply for 2008 Value-Added Producer Grants 

HILO, Feb. 28, 2008 – USDA Rural Development State Director Lorraine P. Shin has announced that grants are available to assist producers who want to add value to the commodities they produce on their farm.  The deadline for applying for the 2008 Value-Added Producer Grant Program is March 31. 

"The grants can be used for planning that establishes a viable value-added marketing opportunity, or for working capital to operate a value-added business," says Shin. "These grants provide Hawaii farmers with the investment funds needed to expand their role in developing and marketing value-added products in domestic and international markets."

Since 2001, a total of 12 businesses in Hawaii have been awarded more than $1 million in grant funds through this program. This year $18 million is available through this nationally competitive program.

Who can qualify for this money?

Grants are available to independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures. Grants are available for planning or working capital purposes, she says. Planning grants can be used for feasibility studies, marketing and/or business plans. Grant funds can be used to pay consultants who guide producers through the development processes. The planning activities must be related to the marketing of a value-added product. Working capital grants can be used by new or existing businesses to pay the operating expenses of new ventures just starting out.

Program creates jobs, helps rural Hawaii:

"The Value-Added Producer Grant program creates jobs and improves the financial returns for producers and farm families across rural Hawaii," says Shin. "I hope producers with interest in starting or expanding their value-added business will give us a call."

Contact a USDA Rural Development office:

Further information about Value-Added Producer Grants and other Rural Development programs is available by calling the agency at 808-933-8313, at a local Rural Development office or at www.rurdev.usda.gov. A copy of the 2008 Value Added Producer Grant Notice of Solicitation of Application is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm.  Office locations in Hawaii include the State Office in Hilo, along with Area Offices on Oahu, Guam, and Pohnpei, FSM.  A Sub-Area Office is located on Moloka’i with Satellite Offices found on Kauai, Maui, Hawai’i Island, American Samoa, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Chuuk—FSM, Yap—FSM, and Kosrae—FSM.  "USDA Rural Development is an equal opportunity lender with a variety of direct and guaranteed rural credit programs involving single and multi-family housing, community facilities, water and sewer development and business and industry programs." says Shin.  For further details about eligibility rules and application procedures for the Value-Added Producer Grant program contact Timothy W. O’Connell, Assistant to the State Director, at (808) 933-8313 or email him at tim.oconnell@hi.usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested nearly $91 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov . 

USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250. 

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Release No. HI-08-09

Media Contact:  Lorraine P. Shin, State Director (808) 933-8302
Timothy W. O’Connell, Assistant to the State Director (808) 933-8313

 USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT INVITES

APPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS LOANS AND GRANTS

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2008 – USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas C. Dorr today invited applications for four programs to support businesses and small minority producers in rural areas.  “These programs are vital to rural economies because they promote entrepreneurship and help local businesses get access to capital, technical assistance and new markets for their products and services,” Dorr said. “Helping rural businesses succeed is a fundamental part of USDA Rural Development’s mission.”

The four programs under which applications are being accepted are:

• Rural Economic Development Loans
• Rural Business Opportunity Grants
• Rural Cooperative Development Grants

• Small Minority Producer Grants

The Rural Economic Development Loan program provides zero-interest loans to Rural Development utility program borrowers, which in turn re-lend the money at zero interest to local entities to promote economic development and job creation projects. The Rural Business Opportunity Grant Program finances training and technical assistance for business development.  Small Minority Producer Grants are provided to cooperatives or associations of cooperatives with at least 75 percent minority representation among their membership and/or governing board. The Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program helps rural residents form new cooperative businesses and improve the operations of existing cooperatives.

1 Deadline for 3rd Quarter Applications

2 Deadline for 4th Quarter Applications

For further details about eligibility rules and application procedures for Rural Cooperative Development and Small Minority Producer grants, see the February 8, 2008, Federal Register. For further details about the Rural Economic Development and Rural Business Opportunity programs, see the February 5, 2008, Federal Register, or contact Timothy W. O’Connell, Assistant to the State Director, at (808) 933-8313 or email him at tim.oconnell@hi.usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested nearly $91 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .

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