NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE  19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

 Kathy Beisner (302) 857-3582 or (302) 270-5767

Westernport, MD October 4, 2005 – Today at the Westernport American Legion, Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott announced over $8 million in loan and grant funding that has supported rural Allegany County since the beginning of the federal fiscal year (October 1, 2004 – September 30, 2005). Congressman Roscoe Bartlett said, "In the past year, USDA’s Rural Development Program has provided $8.5 million in federal funding for projects in Allegany County that will leverage local government and private sector funding to improve the infrastructure in Westernport, Barton and LaVale and support small business entrepreneurs and rural homeownership throughout the County. These projects will strengthen the community, help create more jobs and make Allegany County an even better place to live and work."

"This federal investment of Department of Agriculture funds is important to on-going economic development efforts throughout Western Maryland," said Senator Paul S. Sarbanes. "These projects are helping to improve the quality of life for the residents of Allegany County through increased home improvements and ownership opportunities, as well as enhancements and upgrades to its public infrastructure systems."

"This funding is a federal investment in Western Maryland communities today and tomorrow," said Senator Barbara A. Mikulski. "I’m so proud that Allegany County will be able to use these funds to continue to develop and grow."

The funding provided has been in the area of rural homeownership, rental housing, improved public water systems, and equipment to help first responders. The Town of Westernport was selected for the County wide announcement that highlighted $851,000 the Town is receiving to help them make water system improvements in the amount of $830,000 and an extra $21,000 in grant to help with the purchase of a new police vehicle. "It has become our tradition at this time of year to collectively announce the federal taxpayer funds that are being returned to Western Maryland," said Elliott. "This is funding that will help deliver a solution for the challenges we face today and a new opportunity for tomorrow’s generation. It protects the environment, improves the quality of life, and increases economic opportunity in rural Allegany County."

Altogether, the federal assistance represents more than $1.2 million in grant funds and $7.3 million in loan funds that have supported seven projects throughout the County and has helped 50 families achieve the dream of homeownership.

In addition to the Town of Westernport, the $8 million in funding helped the following:

Allegany County

$36,284 to the Town of Barton to help purchase a utility and snow removal truck.

$2,850,000 to the LaVale Sanitary Commission to make water system improvements.

$38,478 to the Tri- County Council for Western Maryland to help provide technical assistance and counseling for startup and existing small businesses.

$4,332,037 to support rural homeownership.

$460,800 in rental assistance for 30 apartment units that are designed for the elderly.

Rural Development’s motto - "Committed to the future of rural communities," is well defined in rural Allegany County. The funding announced represents only some of the programs the agency is called to deliver. In addition to programs that support business development, community infrastructure, essential community facilities and rural homeownership they also have programs that support agriculture. Their mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Additional information on rural programs is available by calling their Mountain Lake Park office at (301) 334-6950 or their State Office that serves Maryland and Delaware at (302) 857-3580 or visiting their web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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