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
Manufacturing Businesses Invited to the White House
Honor Recognizes 71 Rural Businesses For Success Creating Jobs
WASHINGTON, February 22, 2012 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that 71 manufacturing businesses were honored Friday at a White House event to recognize the success of manufacturing in rural America. The event at the White House Eisenhower Executive Office Building also included representatives of financial institutions that have provided capital and support for these businesses.
“The manufacturing sector plays an important part in the nation’s economy,” USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager said. “These companies demonstrate that U.S. manufacturing – through innovation, dedication and tireless hard work – will continue to create jobs that keep Americans working and our rural communities thriving.”
The businesses honored Friday have been supported by USDA Rural Development’s Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program, which helps provide capital and technical assistance to create jobs and spur economic development. USDA has several other programs that aid businesses, promote job growth and foster regional economic partnerships. For more information on these programs, go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Business.html.
“These companies exemplify what can be accomplished when government works with businesses, local officials and rural residents,” said Judith Canales, administrator of USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business and Cooperative Service.
The companies honored include:
· Aztec Manufacturing Corporation of Romulus in Michigan. The company produces a variety of auto parts for Ford Motor Co. and other clients, including portions of the Mustang brake assembly and Ford truck suspensions.
For a complete list of honorees, click here
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President is committed to a smarter use of existing Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.
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 active portfolio of more than $165 billion in affordable 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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