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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 9, 2004
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
USDA / Ft. Riley Regional
Initiative
Meeting Held In Clay Center
Abilene ,
Council Grove & Wamego Presentations
Scheduled
Topeka, KS – A historic partnership between USDA Rural Development and Ft. Riley has resulted in a highly attended community and economic development meeting in Clay Center . The Clay Center meeting, with over seventy attendees from five counties, learned more about USDA Rural Development’s Ft. Riley Regional Initiative, along with informational about programs the Agency offers to help rural communities and businesses.
USDA Rural Development’s Ft. Riley Regional Initiative, created following the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency and Ft. Riley on June 27 th, also has resulted in an additional $25 million in Guaranteed Rural Housing Program loan funding targeted for Kansas during for Fiscal Year 2006. USDA administered over $80 million in rural housing programming in Kansas last year.
“The planned expansion of Ft. Riley , along with the recently announced return of the Big Red One, will provide an excellent opportunity for communities in this region benefiting from the Ft. Riley expansion to improve affordable housing opportunities and enhance local infrastructure. Whether it be improving local housing or upgrading community projects such as health care services, USDA Rural Development will work with all of Kansas on this important economic development opportunity,” commented State Director Banks.
USDA Rural Development has also planned Ft. Riley Regional Initiative informational meetings in Abilene , Wamego and Council Grove through August 18 th.
Additional information regarding USDA Rural Development’s Ft. Riley Regional Initiative can be obtained by contacting USDA Rural Development’s Manhattan office at 785-776-7582 (extension #4).
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs that support increasing economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for rural Americans. During Fiscal Year 2005, the Agency administered over $150 million in community and economic development programming for Kansas. For further information regarding USDA Rural Development programs, individuals may contact the Agency at 785-271-2700 or by visiting the Agency’s Kansas website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks.
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