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USDA Rural Development Officials Visit Leech Lake Indian Reservation Tribe recognized for investments, leads tour of Rural Development projects LEECH LAKE RESERVATION, Minn., Sept. 12 – Officials from Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) visited the Leech Lake Indian Reservation today to recognize Rural Development investment on the reservation, tour Rural Development financed projects, and visit with tribal officials on a variety of other topics. Since 2001, USDA Rural Development has invested $5,959,391 throughout the reservation. Projects include early childhood centers, community centers and tribal college improvements. Tribal Chairman George Goggleye, Jr. welcomed Curtis Anderson, Steve Wenzel and other Rural Development officials. Anderson is the Deputy Administrator of Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Programs and traveled from Washington D.C. for the events. Wenzel is the State Director of Rural Development in Minnesota. “The tribe has obviously been very proactive in its economic development efforts,” Anderson said. “It’s great to visit these rural communities and see the positive impact that Rural Development programs have.” After a check presentation and ceremony recognizing Rural Development investment on the reservation and a ceremony at the Leech Lake Tribal College, tribal officials led a tour that visited the Oak Point Community Center, the Tract 33 Water Project and the Bena Community Center. The group also discussed future investment and economic development initiatives throughout the day. “The Leech Lake tribe needs to be recognized for taking the initiative it has in improving the quality of life and creating economic opportunity on the reservation,” Wenzel said. “President Bush says you can’t have a strong America without a strong rural America. The Leech Lake tribe is making rural America stronger.” For more information on USDA Rural Development, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn, or call the local office in Baxter at (218) 829-5965 or Bemidji at (218) 751-2689. More information on the Leech Lake Tribe can be found at http://www.llojibwe.com/index.html.
Leech Lake Tribal College Honored by USDA Rural Development LEECH LAKE RESERVATION, Minn., Sept. 12 – Officials from Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) toured the Leech Lake Tribal College today. Since 2001, USDA Rural Development has awarded over $1.2 million in guaranteed loans and grants to the college. Tribal College President Leah Carpenter welcomed Curtis Anderson, Steve Wenzel and other Rural Development officials. Anderson is the Deputy Administrator of Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Programs and traveled from Washington D.C. for the events. Wenzel is the State Director of Rural Development in Minnesota. Rural Development and tribal leaders spent Tuesday and Wednesday touring projects and discussing other issues. “The college now has the infrastructure to be a valuable asset to the Leech Lake community for many years,” Anderson said. “A quality college plays a major role in maintaining an area’s quality of life.” A $135,000 grant in 2001 and a $102,410 grant in 2002 will help build a career development building on the campus. Construction is set to begin shortly. A $637,981 guaranteed loan in 2004 and a $350,000 guaranteed loan in 2006 helped complete construction on the two main buildings on campus, enabling the college to consolidate its operations into one site. “President Bush has crafted a rural policy that encourages investment in higher education throughout rural America,” Wenzel added. “The tribal college has provided excellent leadership in this area.” For more information on USDA Rural Development, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn, or call the local office in Baxter at (218) 829-5965 or Bemidji at (218) 751-2689. More information on the Leech Lake Tribe can be found at http://www.llojibwe.com/index.html.
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