Contact: Kathy Beisner (302) 697-4333

CAMDEN, Jan. 29, 2002 – Marlene Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director for Maryland announced that rural communities in Maryland received over $124 million in federal money last fiscal year. "These dollars directly translate into improving the lives of over 30,000 Maryland residents," said Elliott. "Rural Development programs have enjoyed great success and are needed to overcome the financial barriers of obtaining credit in rural America, but we take very seriously the charge given us by the Bush administration that as distributors of the people’s money we must take great care that the assistance provided to rural America, and for us rural life in Maryland, is a good, sound investment for the U.S. taxpayers."

More than $34.7 million was administered through business and community programs aimed at improving the economic and environmental climate of rural communities and providing essential services like fire protection, health care, education and safe drinking water. More than $89 million involved housing programs to help people buy, build, rent or repair decent housing.

Many municipalities each year rely on assistance through Rural Development’s – Rural Utilities Service programs that are designed to improve public health, safety, and overall quality of life. "The utility programs help bring 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, attracting new homes and businesses, and conserving natural resources like the Chesapeake Bay."

Last year in Maryland, with the assistance of Rural Development programs, over 800 jobs were created or saved and over 2,300 families purchased homes. To learn more about USDA Rural Development and their programs, visit them at www.rurdev.usda.gov/md.

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