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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 15, 2004 - Contact Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
Great Bend Children’s Learning Center Receives USDA Rural
Development Funding
Great Bend, KS – USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks and First District Congressman Jerry Moran today presented a ceremonial check totaling $150,000.00 to the Great Bend Child Day Care Association to be used for improvements to the Association’s operations. This funding for the Great Bend Children’s Learning Center was provided under USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility Loan & Grant Program.
“Providing quality child care in rural areas is a critical component to supporting both healthy families and economic growth opportunities. Through such partnership financing, USDA Rural Development can help local communities provide its residents services that focus on improving the overall quality of life, along with assisting in the development of new jobs and promoting economic growth for rural Kansas. USDA Rural Development is striving to ensure that such opportunities are available to all rural Kansans,” commented State Director Banks.
“Rural Kansas faces many challenges. USDA Rural Development offers many valuable programs which can help communities and rural businesses overcome some of these challenges,” remarked Congressman Moran during today’s presentation.
“The Great Bend Children’s Learning Center currently provides day care services for nearly 80 children. Funding provided by USDA Rural Development will allow the Center to eventually accept infants as young as 3 weeks old with the addition of several rooms specifically for the care of infants. We greatly appreciate this funding from USDA Rural Development,” commented center director Sue Detter.
USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility Loan & Grant Program is designed to assist in the development of essential community facilities for public use in rural communities. Eligible facilities can include schools, libraries, childcare facilities, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation.
As a venture capital entity, USDA Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure in rural America. For additional information regarding USDA Rural Development programs, individuals may call the Agency’s state headquarters at 785-271-2702 or log onto the state’s Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the Future of Rural Communities.
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