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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 2, 2004
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
Rural Community Funding Available
Through USDA Rural Development
TOPEKA, KS – USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks announced today a state-wide Agency initiative to provide additional funding opportunities to eligible rural Kansas communities. Funding for rural Kansas communities is available through the Agency’s Community Facility Loan & Grant Program for both eligible community-based and eligible faith-based organizations.
USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility Program has provided extensive funding assistance to rural Kansas communities for a wide variety of projects ranging from hospitals and health care facilities, local community centers, and first-responder equipment and facilities. In today’s announcement, State Director Banks indicated that in addition to working with community-based leaders, the Agency wishes to also cooperate with ‘first-responder’ entities and faith-based organizations.
“The Bush Administration is strongly committed to assisting rural communities across America,” State Director Banks remarked. “USDA Rural Development has and will continue to provide general funding to eligible communities for projects which improve the quality of life for our State’s rural residents. Under a recent announcement by USDA Secretary Veneman, additional funding is available for rural areas under the Agency’s First Responder Initiative. Additionally, USDA has also recently announced a new Faith-Based and Community Initiative to provide potential funding assistance for rural communities.”
USDA Rural Development’s First Responder Initiative will provide up to $100 million in funding to support eligible rural emergency responder efforts for needed emergency equipment and facilities. The Agency’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative can assist eligible nonprofit organizations to better access the Community Facility Program.” During the Bush Administration, over $1.5 billion has been invested by USDA Rural Development to address essential community needs that assist with public safety, education, health care, cultural, transportation, and other public needs in rural America.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of America’s rural residents. The Agency 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 all USDA Rural Development’ programs, contact the Agency at 785-271-2702 or visit the Agency’s Kansas website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the future of rural communities.
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