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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 11, 2005
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
USDA / Ft. Riley Regional
Initiative
Meeting Held In Abilene
Council Grove Presentation Scheduled for August 18th
Topeka, KS – Over 60 business and community leaders representing nine counties gathered today in Abilene for the third USDA Rural Development Ft. Riley Regional Initiative meeting to be held this week. Today’s session, the result of the Agency’s groundbreaking partnership established with Ft. Riley, is an effort by USDA to learn more about various community needs and also explain programs that can assist rural communities.
“We are very impressed with the regional interest and enthusiasm shown during these meetings. The planned expansion of Ft. Riley, especially with the announced return of the Big Red One, will provide an excellent opportunity for communities to improve affordable housing opportunities and enhance local infrastructure. USDA Rural Development will work with all of Kansas to realize this important economic development opportunity,” commented USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks.
USDA Rural Development’s Ft. Riley Regional Initiative, created as a result of the historic Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Agency and Ft. Riley on June 27 th, also provides for an additional $25 million in Guaranteed Rural Housing Program loan funding targeted for Kansas during for Fiscal Year 2006. USDA Rural Development administered over $80 million in rural housing programming in Kansas last year.
USDA Rural Development also held meetings in Clay Center and Wamego this week, with a Council Grove session scheduled for August 18 th. Additional information regarding USDA Rural Development’s Ft. Riley Regional Initiative can be obtained by contacting the Agency’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 2004, the Agency administered over $150 million in community and economic development programming benefiting 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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