USDA Rural Development Hosts Statewide Economic and Housing Forum

High Plains Journal article   (1/9/2003)
High Plains Journal article

Senator Brownback Tours New Cotton Gin Near Moscow Full Story

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (far left) recently visited the Northwest Cotton Growers Co-op facility located outside Moscow, Kansas. (additional details)

Congressman Jerry Moran Reviews Kansas Rural Development Projects In Barton County Full Story

Congressman Jerry Moran (second from left in front) participated in the Self Help Groundbreaking Ceremony in Great Bend.(additional details)

Kansas USDA Rural Development Announces $2.8 Million In Grants To Fund Value-Added Products and Distance Learning & Telemedicine. Topeka Capital-Journal Story Full Story

(left to right) Kansas USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks, USDA/RUS Administrator Hilda Legg andCongressman Jerry Moran with Dr. Robert Cox, Hays Medical Center for check ceremony presenting $195,000 Telemedicine Program grant to Hays Medical Center. Additional Picture

Kansas Rural Development To Improve Housing Opportunities Full Story

Congressman Ryun Reviews Kansas Rural Development Projects Expanded Story Full Story

Congressman Jim Ryun (second from right) visits Northeast Kansas Community Action Program facilitiy in Holton, Kansas, which provides Head Start and child care services to the area. The USDA Rural Development Community Facility Program provided funding for this facility

Congressman Jim Ryun (far left) visited the Hiawatha Community Hospital in Hiawatha, Kansas, as part of the August 2002 Rural Development Success Tour. The USDA Rural Development Rural Economic Development Loan Program provided funding for the project.

Kansas Rural Development Announces Statewide Water Projects.

USDA/RUS Administrator Hilda Legg announces $30.2 million FY2002 Farm Bill monies for funding of several rural water district systems and wastewater projects across Kansas. Hutchinson News Story Full StoryAdditional Picture

Kansas Rural Development hosts Senator Pat Roberts on Successs Tour

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts explains 2002 Farm Bill Rural Development programs to a large crowd in Washington, Kansas. Senator Roberts also participated in Rural Development Success Tour stops in Lyons and Phillipsburg.

Senator Roberts Praises USDA Rural Development Programs.
Full Story Pictures

Wabaunsee County Rural Water District #2 Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony To Celebrate Completion Of Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility. Full Story Additional Pictures

Congressman Ryun Scheduled To Tour Rural Development Projects.

Wabaunsee County Rural Water District #2 Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony To Celebrate Completion Of Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility. Additional Pictures

Those participating were (left to right) Harold Stones, Special Projects Director for U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Nathan Anderson, Manager Wabaunsee RWD2, Charles King, Board Member Wabaunsee RWD2, Alice Kimble, Treasurer Wabaunsee RWD2, Jeanette Loughary, Chairperson Wabaunsee RWD2, Chuck Banks, State Director USDA Rural Development, Adam Soelter (ribbon cutter), Rodger Badeker, Board Member Wabaunsee RWD2, Ron Dickey, Secretary Wabaunsee RWD2, Alan Soelter, Bartlett & West, Inc., Bill Moore, Rural Development Specialist Manhattan Office, Ron Schultz, 1st National Bank Wamego, and Jim Frost, Youngs, Inc., Topeka.

Wabaunsee Rural Water District #2 Celebrates Completion Of Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility
(left to right) Alan Soelter, Bartlett & West, Inc., Ron Dickey, Secretary Wabaunsee RWD2, Bill Moore, Rural Development Specialist Manhattan Office, Chuck Banks, State Director USDA Rural Development, Jeanette Loughary, Chairperson Wabaunsee RWD2, Nathan Anderson, Manager Wabaunsee RWD2

Comments from Chuck Banks, State Director: "USDA Rural Development Strives To Help Rural Kansas Grow"

Kansas USDA Rural Development Presents Rural Development Farm Bill and Value-Added
Agricultural Product Market Development Grant Program Information Meetings Across State.

Congressman Jim Ryun Addresses Group on Rural Development Grant Program.

Fowler Senior Center Gets Tour From Kansas USDA Rural Development State Director And Area Dignitaries.

Those attending the meeting were front row (left to right) Evelyn
Hildebrand, Rosa Cheney, Nilva Low, Lorene Hatfield, Gretta Zortman,
Marie Bayha; back row - Kirk Thompson, CMS Electric Cooperative general manager, Clifford Friesen, vice president of CMS board of directors, Debbie Pugh, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Kent Colwell, Rural Development Specialist in Hays, Dennis Mesa, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, Chuck Banks, State Director USDA Rural Development, Howard Hatfield, and Art Bayha. Additional Pictures

USDA Rural Development Program Contributes To Home Ownership Editorial Comment

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts enjoys the morning with several families who have recently completed construction of their homes under Rural Development's Mutual Self-Help Housing program.

Click on pictures to enlarge...

The Dean of the KSU College of Agriculture Marc Johnson (left) and Kansas Rural Development Director Chuck Banks (center) visit with Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman during her May 31st visit to Wichita.

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts visits Mutual Self-Help housing in Valley Center.

USDA Rural Development Kicks Off National Home Ownership Week.

State Director Chuck Banks (left) and Cullison Mayor Don Rose discuss the Community Facility Program as they look over the tornado damage to the fire station and City Hall building. The tornado went through the City of Cullison on May 7, 2002. When natural disasters occur and insurance proceeds are inadequate, the Community Facility Program is ideal for helping rural communities replace essential buildings.
Story from Hutchinson News

Wichita County begins its fifth year in administering a USDA Rural Development Grant to combat loss of population.

Leoti Volunteer Fire Department's new truck purchased with RD community facilities loan/grant funds. Pictured from left to right is: Randy Gibson, USDA Office of Community Development, Washington, D.C.; Charlie Hughes, Fire Chief, Leoti Vol. Fire Dept.; Sharla Krenzel, Director, Wichita County Economic Development and Enterprise Community; and Chuck Banks, State Director, USDA Rural Development.

Barton County receives USDA assistance in combating outmigration.

Stockyards Plaza, Inc. approved for $1.955 million USDA guaranteed loan.

USDA funds Decatur County Hospital equipment purchase.

Ardith Scammehorn (center) was honored with the Kansas 2001 Site Manager of the Year award from USDA Rural Development at the Rural Rental Housing Association of Kansas (RRHAK) Annual Conference, April 24-25, 2002 in McPherson, Kansas. Chuck Banks, State Director for USDA Rural Development, and Candace Armstrong, 2001 President of RRHAK, presented the award. Ardith is Manager of Sunrise Village in Dighton, Kansas. She is a compassionate friend and advocate for the residents of Sunrise Village; spending time to visit and listen to their needs and concerns. Again, congratulations to Ardith!

Russell's AmericInn receives $2,030,000 in USDA funds.

Norton County Hospital receives $1.4 million loan from USDA.

Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks (first row, third from left) presents a check to the City of Hiawatha for their new wastewater treatment plant. Mayor Thomas Jimeson (first row, second from left) and Harold Stones, Kansas Special Projects Director with U.S. Senator Pat Roberts's office, (first row, fourth from left) participated in the check presentation ceremony. Full Story

USDA has approved a Community Facility Loan of $20,000 & a Grant of $15,000 to benefit Osborne County Rural Fire Dist. #1.

Sabetha Community Hospital expansion funded through $5 million USDA Rural Development Community Facility loan.

Soldier has received a $253,800 grant & a $97,900 loan through USDA Rural Development's Water and Waste Water Program.

The City of Meriden has received a $181,000 grant and a $1,119,000 loan from USDA Rural Development's Water and Waste Water Program for improvements to their sewage system.

Senator Pat Roberts (middle) visits with Dr. Joanne Brown, Dentist in Leoti, Kansas, about her new dental office facility in the Wichita County Enterprise Community. Dr. Brown's practice serves a sizable region in west central Kansas. State Director Chuck Banks (right) joined Senator Roberts on his Rural Development tour.

Competitive applications are being solicited for Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grant Program.

Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 11 receives Silver Faucet Award. Each year USDA Rural Development presents the award to a water supply system in Kansas that truly exemplifies spirit, leadership, and dedication in providing high quality and quantity water to rural water users.

Chuck Banks, Kansas State Director for USDA Rural Development, announces a $320,000 Rural Economic Development Loan to Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Scott City, Kansas.

$160,000 USDA Rural Economic Development Grant awarded to Western Cooperative Electric Association, Inc. in WaKeeney

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing a $160,000 Rural Economic Development Loan to Leavenworth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative, Inc. in McLouth.

Nemaha-Marshall Electric Cooperative Assoc., Inc. in Axtell has received a $331,000 USDA Rural Economic Development Loan.