NEWS
RELEASE
United States Department
of Agriculture • Rural Development
3001 Coolidge Rd. • 2nd Floor North • Suite 200 • East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 324-5204 • Fax: (517) 324-5225 •
alec.lloyd@mi.usda.gov
Contact: Alec Lloyd
(517) 324-5204
Rural Michigan Receives $1.9 Million for Community Facilities Projects
EAST LANSING, Aug. 23, 2011 — U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan James J. Turner today announced 1,950,000 in loans and grants to benefit rural Michigan communities.
The funds are part of a nation-wide initiative totaling nearly $55 million in loans and grants will support 107 projects through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Program. Eligible projects include essential community facilities for public use in rural areas such as fire protection, safety, health care, education and other community needs.
In Shepherd, Mich., Greendale Township was selected to receive a $438,000 loan to buy a school building and convert it into a town hall and a public safety building. When complete, the renovated structure will increase meeting capacity for civic functions and also house an emergency response vehicle.
Today’s announcement is an example of investments the Obama Administration is making to help create jobs and grow the rural economy. In June, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the first White House Rural Council, chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The White House Rural Council will work throughout government to create policies to promote economic prosperity and a high quality of life in our rural communities.
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken significant steps to improve the lives of rural Americans and has provided broad support for rural communities. The Obama Administration has set goals of modernizing infrastructure by providing broadband access to 10 million Americans, expanding educational opportunities for students in rural areas, and providing affordable health care. In the long term, these unparalleled rural investments will help ensure that America’s rural communities are repopulating, self-sustaining and thriving economically.
Michigan recipients:
· Portage Township (Mackinac County) – To replace the roof and electrical system in the learning center; $50,000 grant;
· Creative Beginning Child Development (Isabella County) – To purchase playground equipment; $12,000 grant;
· Monroe County Opportunity Program – To construct a food pantry $1,120,000 loan
· Greendale Township (Midland County) – To renovate an elementary school building and convert it into a town hall and public safety building; $438,000 loan
· Joint Walkerville Area Fire and Rescue Authority (Oceana County) – To purchase a self-contained breathing apparatus and replace the current wildfire/grass fire quick response unit for the fire department; $250,000 loan; $15,000 grant
· Village of Howard City (Montcalm County) – To purchase a grass rig that will be used as first line fire suppression unit for the Howard City Fire Department; $49,000 loan, $16,000 grant.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $155 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
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