M A R Y L A N D  A N D  D E L A W A R E

News Release

                                                       Contact:  Kathy Beisner 302-697-4333

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT RETURNS $112 MILLION TO MARYLAND

            CAMDEN, November 5, 2003 – Marlene Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director for Maryland announced that rural communities in Maryland received over $112 million in federal money last fiscal year.  “People are curious about the USDA logo and the investment in off-farm related activities.  The answer is that preserving rural America is preserving farming and protecting our rural communities.  Rural Development is committed to improving the quality of life in rural America and that means access to jobs, services, housing and infrastructure.  A farm does not survive without a rural community and a rural community does not have its heart without farming.”

            Over $8.5 million was administered through business and community programs aimed at improving the economic and environmental climate of rural communities and providing essential services like improvements to emergency communications and access to health care and education.  More than $96 million involved housing programs to help people buy, build, rent or repair decent affordable housing.

            Many municipalities each year rely on assistance from Rural Development that will help build or improve their water and wastewater infrastructure.  “The Bush Administration is committed to bringing safe drinking water and sanitary, environmentally sound waste disposal facilities to rural Americans in greatest need,” said Elliott.  “Safe, clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater facilities are an investment in improving basic public health, enhancing fire protection, providing jobs and decent housing, and conserving natural resources like the Chesapeake Bay.”

            Last year in Maryland , with the assistance of Rural Development programs, approximately 450 jobs were created or saved and over 650 individuals or families purchased homes.  “There is no area of rural life untouched by Rural Development’s programs,” said Elliott.  To learn more about USDA Rural Development visit them at 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