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

 

 

Media Outlets:  The Cumberland Times News, The Republican, and NBC25

 

                                                                                                Contact:  Kathy Beisner

                                                                                                              (302) 857-3582

 

Faith-Based Educational Facility Receives USDA Grant

                                                                                                    

Frostburg, MD, February 17, 2010 --- U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Jack Tarburton announced a $27,400 grant to The Maryland Salem Children’s Trust, Inc. that will allow the faith-based, non-profit organization to install solar panels and a wind turbine at The Salem School which was built in 2006. The funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).

 

“President Obama’s Recovery Act has helped create jobs and lay a new foundation for economic growth during the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.  “USDA has used Recovery Act funding to create badly-needed jobs and stimulate local economies, help farmers and rural businesses make it through tough times, ensure that struggling families can put food on the table, and build and revitalize critical infrastructure in rural communities across America.

 

 “It is fitting that this announcement is being made on the one year anniversary of the Recovery Act,” said Tarburton. “Not only is this project supporting manufacturing jobs, education and health care, but it is also supporting renewable energy and conservation.”

 

The Maryland Salem Children’s Trust, Inc. is a multi-service, non-profit faith-based organization that provides a home, family, counseling and education to children who have been abused, neglected and abandoned.  The purchase and installation of solar panels and a wind turbine will enable the organization to be the first school in Maryland to utilize the combination of wind and solar energy.  In addition, it will provide education studies for not only the high school students of Salem, but also the graduate students of neighboring Frostburg State University.  The improvements will enable the school with cost savings of their every day operation expenses and allow those funds to be utilized towards the needs of the children in their care.

 

The Salem School has in place several other costs saving factors.  It was designed to be as energy independent as possible by using sky lights overlapping instructional areas to decrease the need for artificial lighting.  In 2006, a geothermal heating system was installed to use the ground’s temperature to help heat and cool the building.

 

The total cost of the solar and wind project is approximately $50,000.  In addition to the USDA Rural Development grant, the Maryland Energy Administration is providing $9,875 – grant; and The Salem School will contribute $12,975. 

 

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. In 2009, the agency provided more than $421 million to rural Maryland; 45% of the funds were a result of the Recovery Act.   President Obama signed the Recovery Act into law on February 17, 2009.  It is designed to jumpstart the nation’s economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century.  The Act includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

 

USDA Rural Development funds more than 40 programs that support agriculture, business opportunities, homeownership, home repair, rental housing, broadband technology, public safety, health care, education, community facilities such as libraries, schools and day care centers, and energy-related projects.  Additional information on rural programs is available by calling the state office at (302) 857-3580 or by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov.

Committed to the future of rural communities.

 

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,

 Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).