D
E L A W A R E A N D
M A R Y L A N D
NEWS
RELEASE
Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623 or Tim McNeilly (202) 690-0498
USDA ANNOUNCES $1.5 MILLION IN COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS
WITH 1890 INSTITUTIONS
LORMAN, Miss., Sept. 15,
2003— Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the selection of
eleven 1890s Land Grant Institutions, Colleges and Universities to receive
nearly $1.5 million in business development assistance.
These funds will provide outreach and technical assistance in developing
new businesses and employment opportunities in underserved rural communities.
“The Bush Administration is
firmly committed to fostering new economic growth and expanding business
opportunities in underserved rural communities,” said Veneman. “Today’s
announcement broadens the resources provided through USDA to 1890 institutions
for supporting local economic development efforts.”
Agriculture Under Secretary for
Rural Development Thomas Dorr said the program is an important part of USDA
efforts to help local communities during a town hall meeting at
Alcorn
State
University
in
Mississippi
. “These funds will continue the
strong partnership between USDA and these 1890 institutions like
Alcorn
State
,” Dorr said.
At home in the bi-state area, grants were provided in the amount of
$150,000 to
Delaware
State
University
and $100,000 to
University
of
Maryland Eastern Shore
. Rural
Development State Director Marlene Elliott said, “Our mission at USDA Rural
Development is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life
in rural
America
. Both
grants support small businesses providing them with the training to start-up a
business and training to improve business practices.”
Recipients:
Tuskegee
University
in
Tuskegee
,
Ala.
selected to receive $150,000 for strengthening entrepreneurial and business
development activities in the
Alabama
Black
Belt
Counties
and other targeted communities of Sumter/Greene, Uniontown in
Perry
County
, Lowndes,
Macon
, and Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama.
University of
Maryland-Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md. selected to receive $100,000 to provide e-commerce and
e-business information and technology for micro-businesses, cooperatives,
micro-business associations and public bodies along the eastern shore of
Maryland
.
Southern University and A&M College in
Baton
Rouge
,
La.
selected
to receive $139,275 to strengthen its outreach program in areas of job creation
and retention opportunities. The
four communities and parishes in the state of
Louisiana
selected are:
East Feliciana
, Iberville,
St. Helena
, and Tangipahoa.
University of Arkansas-Pine
Bluff in
Pine Bluff
,
Ark.
selected to receive $150,000 intended to
provide technical assistance for economic development; provide financial
assistance to secure funding
for businesses, and expand outreach efforts through the Institute for
Rural Economic Development.
Counties served: Ashley,
Bradley, Chicot, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Jefferson, Lee, Lincoln,
Lonoke
,
Mississippi
,
Monroe
, Phillips, St. Francis, and Woodruff.
Fort Valley State University
in
Fort Valley
,
Ga.
selected to receive $125,000 to provide individuals/groups with
information, technical assistance and financial support for business startup or
expansion, job creation, and program development designed to retain jobs.
Counties served include: Crisp,
Dooly,
Macon
, Peach, Crawford, and
Taylor
.
Delaware State University
in Dover, Del. selected to receive
$150,000 to continue the
Entrepreneurship
Center
’s activities to impact business
economic development by saving/creating jobs and to encourage business startups.
The promotion of USDA Rural Development programs in targeted rural
communities will be addressed.
Prairie View A&M University
in Prairie View,
Texas
selected to receive $135,000 to use for
outreach, education and technical assistance in community and business
development, youth entrepreneur education, business information system network
and other web sites, and public/clientele awareness of Rural Development
programs in 13 counties.
Alcorn State University
in
Alcorn
,
Miss.
selected to receive $140,000 for technical assistance to limited
resource individuals in becoming successful entrepreneurs and provides training
for local community leaders/elected officials for improvement in economic and
community development. Additionally,
the Center for Rural Life and Economic Development will be expanded which has
service centers in Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilkinson counties.
Langston
University
in
Langston
,
Okla.
selected to receive $149,600 for strengthening minority-owned
enterprises in rural communities, developing youth entrepreneurships, assisting
and supporting community development and infrastructure improvements activities.
Counties served include: Caddo, Carter, Garvin,
Logan
, McCurtain, McIntosh,
Muskogee
, Okfuskee,
Okmulgee
,
Oklahoma
, and Seminole.
West Virginia State College in
Institute,
W.Va.
has been
selected to receive $136,125 to support business startup and technical
assistance in 11-targeted counties. The
project will focus on developing new companies, business planning for new
enterprises, franchise startup, counseling, business expansion studies,
marketing analysis, cash flow management and various seminars and workshops for
small businesses.
South Carolina State University
in
Orangeburg
,
S.C.
selected to receive
$125,000 to provide business support services in 10 targeted counties.
Also assist prospective entrepreneurs in creating new businesses, and
providing small business management training to develop local youth into future
entrepreneurs will be made available.
As a venture capital entity, Rural
Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster
growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and
technology infrastructure. To learn more about USDA Rural Development and the
various assistance they can provide visit their web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov
or call the Rural Development State Office at (302) 697-4300.
TTY users should call (302) 697-4303.
###
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