News Release

WASHINGTON, January 15, 1998 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be awarding nearly $1.1 million in grants to help support business development in economically depressed rural areas of 10 states.

"These 10 projects will help create or preserve more than 500 jobs in low-income rural areas where every single one is crucial," Glickman said. "By working in partnership with local and tribal governments and nonprofit corporations, USDA hopes to stimulate development of businesses that provide the life blood of the rural economy: good-paying jobs."

Benefitting from the grants will be the states of Alabama, South Dakota, North Dakota, Arizona, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.

"The funds we are providing today will support worthwhile projects ranging from the renovation of an historic hotel in Selma, AL, to the establishment of five job training centers in Maine," said Jill Long Thompson, USDA under secretary for rural development. "Other projects will provide fire protection needed for industrial expansion and create or expand technical assistance centers where small business owners can learn new ways to increase production. The net result of all these efforts will be more jobs for rural Americans."

The funds are being provided through USDAs Rural Business Enterprise Grants program, which provides funds to public bodies, nonprofit corporations and Indian tribes to facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses.

The projects receiving funds are:

• $45,000 to the city of Selma, AL, to cover the renovation of the landmark St. James Hotel, built in 1837 and currently closed. The renovated building will include 42-guest rooms, a restaurant, lounge, meeting rooms, a courtyard and terrace.
• $21,720 to the North Country Community Development Center in Bethlehem, N.H., to develop a rural circuit rider program that will provide technical assistance for small and emerging businesses in northern New Hampshire.
• $99,800 to the National Enterprise Development Center in Huron, S.D., to provide technical assistance to help local entrepreneurs start new businesses or expand existing businesses.
• $166,900 to the Tohono OOdham Indian Nation in Sells, AZ, to support an existing revolving loan program for small businesses on tribal land needing equipment and working capital.
• $200,000 to the city of Helena, AR, to renovate three historic buildings in the downtown area to house small and emerging businesses.
• $70,000 to the Punxsutawney Regional Development Corp. to initiate a revolving loan program to support small business development in the area of Punxsutawney, Bell and Young, PA.
• $25,000 to the University of Alaskas Small Business Development Center Rural Outreach Program to provide information and technical assistance to help small business owners and entrepreneurs expand operations and increase productivity.
• $99,000 to the Heart of Main in Newport, Maine, to establish five FastTrac job training centers throughout the State of Maine.
• $200,000 to the town of Royalton, VT, to build a water storage tank necessary for fire protection to allow expansion of a high-tech plastic molding company which employs 300 people at facilities in Bethel and Royalton.
• $160,500 to the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission to provide technical assistance for the development of new and/or expanded uses of North Dakota agricultural products.

Laura Trivers, (202) 720-4623
Clark Ray, (202) 720-5579