press release

USDA Rural Development
1303 SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka, KS  66604-4040
VOICE (785) 271-2700, FAX (785) 271-2708, TTY(785) 271-2767, WEB www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks/

For Immediate Release – March 24, 2003

Contact- Harold Alford  (785) 271-2702

Bush Administration Official Outlines USDA

Rural Development Priorities For 2003

Topeka, KS. – USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks recently returned to Kansas from Washington, D.C. where he participated in a series of high level rural economic and community development meetings with key White House, Congressional, and USDA officials.  The meetings focused on ways to support rural job creation, homeownership, business development, and public utility and community infrastructure needs in rural America.

“The message from these senior officials is they are committed to supporting our efforts to address critical issues that are important to rural Kansas.  President Bush and this Administration are working to provide the resources and support that is essential to creating economic opportunities and an improved quality of life for our rural residents,” said State Director Banks.

Banks remarked that Rural Development will focus on providing staff resources and financial assistance in key areas to stimulate economic growth, job creation, and provide support for rural families in Kansas, including:

· Utilizing Rural Development funds and partnership financing to increase the level of rural homeownership, with an emphasis on expanding opportunities for minority homeownership;

· Advocating through business and industry loan guarantees, value-added agricultural grants, and other programs to expand local business ventures and job creation; and

· Expand community access to information technology for business development and advanced health and educational services through building of technology infrastructure. 

Banks also indicated his appreciation for the support that USDA Rural Development receives from the Kansas Congressional delegation. “Members of our Congressional delegation hold key leadership positions in both the Senate and House of Representatives, and their tireless efforts to assist rural Kansas produce benefits for the entire state.”

Rural Development is the economic development agency for USDA, and the lead federal entity for rural development. For additional information, you may log onto the state's Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks, or e-mail the Agency at 2002farmbillRD@ks.usda.gov

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