|
|
NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 14, 2005
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
USDA Rural Development Honors
Kansas Homeownership Partners
Topeka , KS - USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks , in remarks following a state-wide tour highlighting homeownership opportunities provided by USDA, congratulated several Agency partners for their outstanding commitment to expand housing opportunities in Kansas . Recognition of the partners was made during the Agency’s third annual Rural Homeownership Success Tour, held recently in conjunction with the celebration of National Homeownership Month.
“Significant progress has been made to increase homeownership opportunities for rural Kansans, yet more needs to be done. The supply of affordable housing is very limited in many of our communities. By expanding partnerships in the housing and lending professions, we can continue to improve these homeownership opportunities and enhance the potential for economic development too,” commented State Director Banks.
During the Rural Homeownership Success Tour, the Agency honored the following groups for their commitment to provide more affordable housing opportunities in Kansas by participating in the Agency’s single-family housing programs:
*Faith-Based Partner: Mennonite Housing and Rehab Services, Inc., Wichita
*Outstanding Community Partner: City of Junction City
*Outstanding Lending
Partners: Bankwest of Kansas , Goodland; Farmers & Merchants
Bank, Colby; Gemini Funding, Coffeyville ; Western State Bank, Goodland;
and Metz Banking Company, Nevada , MO
*Outstanding Community Lender: Farmers
Bank & Trust, Great Bend and
Golden Belt Bank, Hays *Outstanding Non-profit Partner: Homestead Affordable
Housing, Inc., Holton
*Outstanding Media (Print) Partner: The Great Bend
Tribune, Great Bend
*Special Homeownership Partner: FHLBank Topeka
USDA Rural Development in Kansas assists over 6,000 Kansans annually to secure either individual homeownership or multi-family housing residency. In addition to recognizing their outstanding partners, Banks also thanked the Kansas congressional delegation for their continued support of the Agency’s numerous housing, community and economic development programs.
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 rural residents. As a venture capital entity, the Agency provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and important community and technology infrastructure in rural America . For additional information regarding all USDA Rural Development programs, individuals may contact the Agency’s state office at 785-271-2700 or visit the Agency’s Kansas website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the future of rural communities
-30-