WHAT'S HAPPENING IN RURAL IDAHO

Student Breaks Ground for Blackfoot Charter School

Four Grants In Idaho Part of $11.3 Million
In Business Development Funds For Rural America

Boise, ID —Last week Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the selection of 83 applicants in 45 states that will receive approximately $11.3 million in grants for business development and job creation.  The funds support President Bush’s efforts to create jobs and improve economic opportunities in rural areas.

“Rural business entrepreneurs are the backbone of America’s rural economy,” said Veneman. “The funds announced today will further stimulate local economies and help to create and save thousands of jobs.

Following are the 4 Idaho award recipients:

Washington County                                                                          $25,000.00          RBEG

Custer County                                                                                  $35,000.00          RBEG

Clearwater Economic Development Association, Inc.                   $48,874.00          RBOG

Boise State University                                                                   $115,900.00          RBOG

Funding of selected applicants will be contingent upon meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.  Two types of business grants are being awarded through USDA Rural Development to finance or develop small and emerging businesses.  They are:  Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG), which can be used for a variety of purposes, including technical assistance, machinery and equipment purchases, revolving loan fund creation and; Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG), which help sustain economic development in communities with exceptional needs by supporting their economic planning, technical assistance and business training costs.  

River Rural Fire Dept. Receives Funds For Fire Truck 
And Equipment As Part Of USDA Goal
To Assist Rural Emergency Responders

BOISE, Idaho, July 6, 2004 – USDA Rural Development Idaho announced today that the Salmon River Rural Fire Department (SRRFD) will receive a grant for $6,000 and a loan for $37,900 to replace a fire truck and other equipment for its rural fire district.

The loan and grant was announced today in Minneapolis as part of USDA’s First Responder Initiative. Over $81 million has been obligated to fund 20 fire stations, 24 fire trucks, 8 police cars and other fire and rescue equipment across the nation, including $43,900 for the fire truck, breathing apparatus and other equipment for SRRFD.  In addition, USDA Rural Development funding will support over 20 health care related efforts such as hospitals and medical centers, as well as nine ambulances.

Veneman said that a minimum of one dollar of every five dollars of fiscal year 2004 community facility funding available, will be dedicated to first responder type requests. USDA Rural Development provides financing of a variety of community facilities, such as: libraries, courthouses, fire and rescue facilities and equipment, police and emergency vehicles and services and other community focused facilities and services.  The initiative will prioritize the funding of at least $100 million to specifically strengthen the ability of rural communities to respond to local emergencies. 

“The Bush Administration is committed to assisting rural communities prepare for emergencies and the delivery of lifesaving services,” Veneman said during a visit to Minneapolis with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to the University of Minnesota to recognize the new Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Agro Security.  “The funds announced today are a major investment in the lives and security of our citizens and are part of USDA’s ongoing investment in the future of rural communities and their ability to better prepare for emergency situations.” 

Wind Turbine Begins Production

Idaho State Director, Mike Field joined LeRoy Jarolimek and partners for the start-up of the first net-metering wind generation project funded by the 2002 Farm Bill in Idaho. The turbine produced it’s first Kw of power on Thursday June 3.

      “I believe this will be a way for farmers to cut energy costs and stay in farming,” Jarolimek said.

Home Ownership Month Activities:

Homeowners and Employees stand outside partially completed self-help home in Buhl.

Gary Gamble, Area 4 Director, 
Presents Check to EISSA

Members of the Duck Valley Housing Authority pose in front of new Multi-family housing complex.

This is the first Multi-Family Housing complex built on tribal trust lands.  Rent up of the complex began at the end of the May.

During the past 4 years USDA Rural Development programs have pumped much needed resources into this community of just around 400 families. The Tribal College, which began holding classes earlier this year, was made possible through a grant from Rural Development of $135,000. Down the street you can see the new fire station which was built through the community facilities program and a combination of grants and loans totaling over $400,000.

Bonners Ferry Receives $500,000 for Repairs to Water Shed

The Myrtle Creek forest fire caused extensive damage to the water shed and to the quality of water in Myrtle Creek.

Mike Field, State Director for USDA Rural Development, stated: “Last years fires severely damaged the Bonners Ferry water shed and water supply. We are pleased to be able to assist with this ECWAG Grant to make these needed repairs.

Above: Mike Field, State Director address audience during presentation. 
Right: State and local officials receive "Big Check"

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION IN EMMETT

State Director, Mike Field addressed Federal and State officials in Emmett as they celebrated Earth Day 2004 with a check presentation from USDA Rural Development representing funding for their waste water system in the amount of $2,250,000. 

USDA Rural Development has been working with the City of Emmett since 1999 to assist the community in solving their sewer system permit violations. Currently the City is out of compliance with the NDPES permit due to substantial ground water infiltration, algae growth, and increased permit requirements. This will allow them to make the needed changes to come into compliance.

FAIRVIEW WATER DISTRICT RECEIVES $1.6 MILLION FOR WATER SYSTEM

Boise, Idaho, January 21, 2004 – The Fairview Water District, located approximately 5 miles south of Preston, will receive $1,665,000 from USDA Rural Development IDAHO for improvements to its water system. The funding will consist of a grant for $700,000 and a loan from the agency for $965,000.

The funds will be used to construct an additional storage tank and replacement of transmission lines and distribution system. This will assist the District with its ongoing efforts to provide residents a safe and adequate water system.

Application for the Water System Improvement Project was made some time ago but a determination of eligibility could not be made until all the criteria had been met and federal funding became available.

“I am thrilled to learn the Fairview Water District will be receiving this important funding for improvements to its water infrastructure," said Congressman Mike Simpson.  "The entire Idaho Congressional Delegation worked very hard to make sure the Farm Bill included water infrastructure grants through USDA's Office of Rural Development and it's great to see some of that money finding its way to rural Idaho.  I also want to commend everyone at the Fairview Water District for all of their hard work in making this grant a reality."