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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 13, 2005
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
USDA
Rural Development Celebrates Opening of Fort Riley Office With Ribbon
Cutting and Open House
Agency Housing
Office Will Assist Soldiers And Civilian Homebuyers
Fort Riley, KS – USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks was joined today by U.S. Congressman Jerry Moran, Major General Dennis E. Hardy, Commanding General 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) and Fort Riley, and local area lenders for the ribbon cutting and open house of the Agency’s new Fort Riley Office. The USDA office at Fort Riley will be devoted to supporting the expansion of Fort Riley and the numerous rural communities in the region who could benefit from this economic development opportunity.
“The opening of the USDA Rural Development housing office at Fort Riley has positioned the Agency to provide important assistance to help both soldiers and civilian homebuyers in the Fort Riley region. The expansion of Fort Riley will also provide communities in the region an excellent opportunity to expand affordable housing and enhance local infrastructure, and the Agency is committed to supporting this economic development,” commented State Director Banks.
At the ceremony, U.S. Congressman Jerry Moran remarked, “I am so pleased to see that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development is working so closely with Fort Riley and the end result is good things for the soldiers and their families. I think this is a precedent, never has this happened in any place else in the country. The fact that USDA Rural Development and the Army, Fort Riley, have worked so closely together is an indication to me about how much they care about soldiers. Today takes a large step toward meeting the housing component for our soldiers and families desiring to live in a home and enjoy a Kansas lifestyle. I am excited about the opportunity that we are creating for soldiers here at Fort Riley and the economic opportunity that will benefit surrounding communities to the Fort.”
Also conveying his congratulations, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts said, “I am pleased to see USDA Rural Development’s Ft. Riley housing office is ready for business and can be a resource to the nearly 9,000 people moving to the area. Benefits from Rural Development’s work on the base will extend not only to men and women in uniform and their families, and will provide a significant economic investment in our rural communities near Ft. Riley.”
USDA Rural Development’s Fort Riley Office will be devoted to assisting the soldiers and civilian homebuyers with their off-post homeownership needs. Agency services at this special USDA housing office will include the homeownership loan pre-qualification process, homebuyer counseling, and a general review of financing options for those desiring to purchase a home. The Agency’s office is located on the second floor at Carr Hall, 45 Barry Avenue, Fort Riley, Kansas.
Major General Dennis E. Hardy said, “This is a great milestone for Fort Riley and the community to be able to open our own office. This is going to produce a significant benefit to the soldiers and the families and for the new civilian workforce coming here, particularly for the first time homebuyers, giving us the capability for fulfilling the American dream where everybody owns there own house and building their future. On behalf of the Army community here at Fort Riley, we definitely thank USDA for the opportunities that are being provided to us for these benefits.”
Earlier this year 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 the Agency’s Fort Riley Regional Initiative, and USDA’s efforts to help support the Post’s expansion by establishing an office at Fort Riley.
USDA Rural Development’s programs support such essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities, electric and telephone service, renewable energy systems and value-added agriculture enterprises. The Agency promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools; technical assistance and information to help agricultural and other cooperatives become established.
Additional information regarding USDA Rural Development’s Fort Riley Regional Initiative can be obtained by contacting the Fort Riley office at 785-239-6473 or the Agency’s Manhattan office at 785-776-7582 (extension #4). Individuals may also call the Agency’s state headquarters at 785-271-2700 or log onto the state’s Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the future of rural communities.
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