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press release United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development |
August 14, 2002 - Phillipsburg, KS. -- U.S. Senator Pat Roberts addressed a large group of agricultural producers and rural business leaders gathered at Phillipsburg, Kansas today during an informational meeting organized to discuss both Congressional issues and rural economic development opportunities. USDA Rural Development, the economic development agency for USDA, participated in the Phillipsburg town hall meeting.
"I am very supportive of Kansas Rural Development and the rural development provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill. The Value-Added Agricultural Grant and the Business & Industry Loan programs offer our Kansas farm producers and our rural communities the opportunity to enhance their economic development", Senator Roberts said.
Chuck Banks, State Director for USDA Rural Development commented, "The 2002 Farm Bill contains excellent economic development provisions for rural Kansas. Agriculture is one of the most technically-advanced industries in America, and both USDA Rural Development's grant and loan programs will now promote more innovation and economic opportunities in our State".
Gary Smith, Kansas Rural Development Community & Business Programs Director remarked, "Creating commerce and jobs in rural areas are key to the prosperity of our rural communities. USDA's Community & Business programs are an additional tool we have to help facilitate rural development".
Senator Roberts continues his August tour across Kansas, and he will join Kansas Rural Development staff in Lyons, Kansas tomorrow for another town hall meeting.
For additional economic development information, you may log onto the Kansas USDA Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks or e-mail the Agency at 2002farmbillRD@ks.usda.gov