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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 8, 2005
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
USDA Rural Development Approves Lenders
For Fort Riley Regional Initiative Program
Eleven Area Financial Institutions Approved As Regional USDA Lenders
Topeka , KS - USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks today announced the certification of eleven Kansas financial institutions as a ‘ USDA / Fort Riley Regional Initiative Approved Lender’ for their commitment to improve homeownership opportunities in Kansas. Today’s announcement was made following completion of special Agency training provided for the lenders to help support expanding homeownership opportunities in rural communities impacted by the planned military and civilian personnel expansion at Fort Riley.
“USDA Rural Development is pleased with the support by many lenders located in the Fort Riley area who are interested in utilizing the Agency’s single-family homeownership loan program. Soon there will be a significant demand for homeownership financing in the Fort Riley region, and USDA’s Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program allows prospective homebuyers the opportunity to purchase a home in one of the over 100 Agency-eligible communities in the region. By expanding partnerships with local Kansas banks, USDA can help improve homeownership opportunities and support potential economic development too,” commented State Director Banks.
The eleven USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing lending partners who have completed the training and are approved for the Agency’s Fort Riley Regional Initiative follow:
The Mortgage Company, Abilene; Clay County National Bank, Clay Center; Farmers & Drovers Bank, Council Grove; Fort Riley National Bank, Fort Riley; GNB Mortgage Company, Horton; Central National Bank, Junction City; First Bank, Junction City; First State Bank, Junction City; Mortgage Investment Services, Olathe; Citizens Bank of Kansas, Kingman; and Kaw Valley State Bank, Wamego.
Three additional regional lenders, who also participated in the Agency’s program training, have applied to be USDA approved lenders. Other Kansas banks interested in participating in this USDA homeownership loan program may contact the Agency at 785-271-2722.
On June 27 th, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts announced the availability of an additional $25 million of USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program funding to be used in the Fort Riley region. USDA Rural Development also then announced its Fort Riley Regional Initiative, and the Agency’s efforts to help support the Post’s expansion by establishing an office at Fort Riley. The USDA office at Fort Riley, scheduled to open in November, will assist Soldiers and civilian employees with their off-Post housing by providing home financing pre-qualification assistance, homebuyer counseling, and refer prospective home loan applicants to Agency-approved lenders located in the seventeen county region of northeast and north-central Kansas.
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. 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 website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the future of rural communities.
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