Kathy Beisner (302) 697-4300 or (302) 270-5767
LATEST ANNOUNCEMENT PUTS USDA INVESTMENT AT ALMOST $6 MILLION
McHenry, MD September 17, 2004 – The latest announcement to help boost Garrett County’s economy will create approximately 100 jobs in McHenry. Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott announced a $150,000 grant that will help the Adventure Sports Center purchase equipment for whitewater rafting and other water related activities. The grant to support Adventure Sports Center is just one of seven projects in Garrett County that has received assistance from USDA Rural Development since the beginning of the federal fiscal year that started on October 1, 2003. Altogether, the agency has invested $5,747,631 to support community and economic development projects in Garrett County. “Leveraging and attracting local government and private sector funds, USDA Rural Development’s program has invested almost $6 million for projects in Garrett County in 2004,” said Congressman Bartlett. “The improvements in the local infrastructure will help create jobs and make Garrett County an even better place to live and work.”
In
addition to economic development activities, the federal assistance also
represents funding to improve aging infrastructure and an investment in public
safety. “The Bush Administration is committed to the future of rural Maryland
and through Rural Development’s programs we can help make Western Maryland a
great place to live, work and raise a family,” said Marlene Elliott. “Over the
last year, USDA Rural Development has worked to enhance job creation in Garrett
County, improve water and wastewater systems, and assist a rural community with
public safety. Today’s announcement is an exciting new beginning that will help
strengthen tourism and the economy for years to come.” Construction has
started at the Adventure Sports Center site with an official grand opening
planned for the Spring of 2006. In addition to the Adventure Sports Center
investment, USDA Rural Development has supported the following projects this
year:
Garrett County
- $165,800 to complete the Keyser’s Ridge Water Project.
- $4,617,900 to help complete the construction of a wastewater lagoon and irrigation spray system in the Deep Creek area.
- $12,650 to help with the purchase of a water distillation unit and ammonia distillation unit for performing County-wide water analysis.
$14,606 to the Town of Loch Lynn Heights to complete a preliminary engineering report for an inflow and infiltration project for the town.
$36,675 to the Town of Oakland to help purchase a 4-wheel drive police vehicle and a public works wood chipper.
$750,000 to Western Maryland Rural Lending Corporation to provide low-interest loans to public and non-profit organizations to help with business and community development.
Rural Development’s motto - “Committed to the future of rural communities,” is well defined in rural Garrett County. The funding announced today 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 or services they also have programs that support rural homeownership. Their mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Further 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) 697-4300 or visit their web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410.