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

Denton, MD November 21, 2005 – Officials from USDA Rural Development announced a $250,000 grant that will help bring an added boost for the local economy. The money is going towards a project located on the upper Choptank River at the Town of Denton that will bring 40 new jobs to the area. "Rural Development has a long history of working with the Town of Denton through a number of programs that support community infrastructure, housing, downtown revitalization, senior citizens and first responders," said Peter Thomas, Administrator for Business Programs USDA Rural Development. "I am extremely proud to be here today to announce funding that will create two new businesses and make an economic impact on the existing businesses in the community for years to come."

The Town of Denton will use the funds to construct a shell building at Daniel Crouse Memorial Park that will be leased adding a new restaurant and marina to the riverfront. It is an idea that both the Town and the County have been working on that provides a unique tourism destination along the upper Choptank River. "Quote from Town".

The new businesses will seek to fill a void in both the food and marina services that are non-existent or limited in the area. Denton currently has limited restaurants and this addition will help attract visitors and tourists to the area. Future revitalization efforts for the riverfront include an amphitheater and visitor’s center. The project will be called, "The Wharves at Choptank Crossing" and in addition to USDA it has received support from State and non-profit agencies.

"We have the pleasure at Rural Development to partner with local, county and state governments to help them meet their dreams," said Marlene Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director. "This project is a partnership to help bring jobs to the area and increase economic opportunities for existing businesses. The grant funds that we receive are normally limited to much smaller projects. Because of the partnership support and strength that this project will have on the local economy, we were able to obtain additional funding from our National Office to bring home to Maryland that will make this project a reality."

Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, USDA Rural Development has invested over $3.9 million in federal funding to support rental housing, business, community facility, and water system improvements in the Town of Denton.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural communities. The agency has over 40 programs to finance rural homeownership, business development and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available by calling the local USDA Rural Development office at (410) 479-1202, ext. 4 or by calling their State Office that serves Maryland and Delaware at (302) 857-3580. Additional information on the agency’s programs can be found by visiting their web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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