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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 1, 2004
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
Business
Development Funds For Kansas
Announced By USDA Rural Development
Topeka, KS. – USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks announced today the approval of six Kansas applicants that will receive $467,173 in grants for projects that assist business development and job creation. The projects approved, utilizing the Agency’s Rural Business Enterprise Grants Program and Rural Business Opportunity Grants Program, support President Bush’s continued efforts to create jobs and improve economic opportunities in rural America.
“USDA Rural Development is committed to investing in the future of Kansas,” commented State Director Banks in today’s announcement. “Working together, local communities and the Agency are bringing new economic opportunities, resulting in an improved quality of life for rural Kansans.”
The Kansas projects announced follow:
City of Hays; Ellis County, KS – $121,500 / Rural Business Enterprise Grant to perform a study of the feasibility to construct and operate an anaerobic digester system for the City of Hays. This proposed system would produce renewable energy directly from the organic waste stream in Ellis County, or to capture and store those energy resources for later activation.
City of Belleville; Republic County, KS – $100,000 / Rural Business Enterprise Grant to extend city sewer service to the Highway US 81 corridor area. The service area is zoned for commercial development and increased traffic flow favors the development of additional locally-owned businesses.
City of Oberlin; Decatur County, KS – $97,900 / Rural Business Enterprise Grant to provide water service to a City owned industrial tract north of town. This water service will add the benefit of fire protection to this location. One locally- owned emerging business has committed to locate in the industrial park.
Wichita County Economic Development,
Inc.; Wichita County, KS – $92,173 /
Rural Business Opportunity Grant for Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities
(EZ/EC) to help purchase equipment to establish a business support center
which will provide technical assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs.
Miami County Economic Development; Miami County, KS – $34,100 / Rural Business Enterprise Grant to assist Miami County small businesses by providing training and technical assistance to existing and prospective rural entrepreneurs. This assistance will be provided with the partnership of the Fort Scott Community College and the Johnson County Community College.
Glacial Hills Resource Conservation
& Development Council, Inc.;
Jefferson County, KS – $21,500 / Rural Business Enterprise Grant to provide
training and technical assistance to small and emerging private businesses
in northeast Kansas through a small business development program.
USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including technical assistance, machinery and equipment purchases, revolving loan fund creation, and building construction. The Agency’s Rural Business Opportunity Grants helps sustain economic development in communities with exceptional needs by supporting their economic planning, technical assistance and business training costs.
Funding of these selected applicants will be contingent upon meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.
During today’s announcement, State Director Banks thanked the Kansas Congressional delegation for their support of USDA Rural Development’s community and economic development programs, which benefit the entire state of Kansas.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improving the quality of life of rural residents. 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.
For more information regarding the Agency’s rural and community development programs, individuals may call 785-271-2702 or log onto the state’s website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the future of rural communities
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