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
CLARE, GLADWIN COUNTIES RECEIVE MORE THAN $2 MILLION FROM USDA
EAST LANSING, April 3, 2008 USDA Rural Development Director for Michigan Gene DeRossett today presented $2,269,000 in grants and loans to Gladwin County, the City of Beaverton and the Mid Michigan Community Action Agency.
These projects illustrate the diverse ways USDA Rural Development is supporting rural Michigan communities, said DeRossett. We are improving the quality of life by enhancing public safety, protecting ground water and helping local agencies provide essential community services.
Gladwin County received a $45,000 grant to help purchase two police cars and a four-wheel drive police vehicle. The county provided $37,500 in local funds.
The City of Beaverton received a grant of $30,000 for a Department of Public Works truck with snow plow capability, a $19,000 grant for a four-wheel drive police vehicle and a loan of $1,125,000 for water system improvements. The loan will help cover the cost of 8,700 lineal foot of water main (most of it replacement), elevated tank rehabilitation and a wellhead protection plan. The city is contributing $74,000 to the various projects out of local funds.
The Mid Michigan Community Action Agency received a $50,000 grant for a child care playground and recreational equipment and a $1 million loan for a new 23,000 square foot office and family/youth services building in Farwell.
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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