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
USDA HELPS CHATEAU CHANTAL IMPROVE FARM LABOR HOUSING
EAST LANSING, April 13, 2007 – USDA Rural Development Director for Michigan Gene DeRossett today presented a ceremonial loan check for $120,000 to Chateau Operations, LTD, the owners of Chateau Chantal winery, for farm labor housing.
“USDA Rural Development has worked with Chateau Chantal for more than a decade,” said DeRossett. “They have demonstrated that investments in rural Michigan can pay handsome dividends in terms of economic growth and the quality of life for employer and employee alike. They are an excellent example of how USDA is giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to create new opportunities.”
The agency provided a $120,000 farm labor housing loan through its Multi Family Housing program to build a three-bedroom single-family home that will be occupied by farm laborers working at Chateau Chantal. USDA Rural Development’s Business Programs provided more than $3.1 million in loans and loan guarantees starting back in 1991 to help finance the winery’s initial development, purchase capital and equipment, and more recently to help expand the growing business.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity, liquidity, and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
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