LANSING, Dec. 12, 2006 – USDA Rural Development Director for Michigan Gene DeRossett will host a series of ceremonies commemorating more than $2 million in grants and loans for communities across the Upper Peninsula. 

The events are open to the general public and everyone is welcome to attend.   

The list below indicates the date, time, location, recipients and award amount of the presentation. 

Date:  December 13^th              Time:  1:30 p.m.
Location:  Portage Township Hall, W. 17353 Davis Street in Curtis.The Township of Portage will receive a check totaling $281,500 in grants and loans for the purchase of two new fire trucks. 

Date:  December 13^th              Time:  4 p.m.
Location:  Manistique City Hall, 300 N. Maple Avenue, in Manistique.The City of Manistique will receive a $29,000 grant for the purchase of a new police patrol vehicle.

Date:  December 14^th              Time:  9 a.m.
Location:  Ishpeming Police Dept., 100 S. Lake Street in Ishpeming.The City of Ishpeming will receive at $25,000 grant to purchase a 2007 four-wheel-drive police vehicle.

Date:  December 14^th              Time:  noon
Location:  47240 Green Acres Road in Houghton.
The Charter Township of Portage will receive $155,000 in grants and loans to purchase a new pumper truck for the fire department. 

Date:  December 14^th              Time:  2 p.m.
Location:  45 Trimountain Avenue in South Range.
The Village of South Range will receive $174,000 in grants and loans for the purchase of a new pumper truck for the fire department.

Date:  December 14^th              Time:  4:30 p.m.
Location:  Sherman Township Hall, in Gay, Michigan.
Sherman Township will receive $171,000 in loans and $407,000 in grants to construct a redundant water well supply.  A separate letter announcing this event was sent on Nov. 16. 

Date:  December 15^th              Time:  9 a.m.
Location:  L’Anse Township Hall, 126 N. Main in L’Anse.
L’Anse Township will receive loans totaling $209,000 and grants of $416,000 for a water transmission main and booster facility.  A separate letter announcing this event was sent on Nov. 16.

Date:  December 15^th              Time:  12:30 p.m.
Location:  228 West Washington Street in Marquette.
U.P. Health Care Network, Inc. will receive a $500,000 grant to bring digital imaging technology to member hospitals.

Date:  December 15^th              Time:  2 p.m.
Location:  Alger County Sheriff Dept., 101 Court Street in Munising.
Alger County will receive an $8,000 grant for the purchase of a Ford Explorer police vehicle.

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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