Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
susan.mcavoy@usda.gov
Dan Campbell (202) 720-6483
dan.campbell@usda.gov
WASHINGTON, May 31, 2000-–Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced $13.3 million in grants, loans, and loan guarantees to 47 new rural economic development projects across the country. The investments will create or save 967 jobs in areas of high unemployment, and generate $4.4 million in leveraged funds.
“Many of America's rural areas have not yet fully shared in the nation's strong economy,” Glickman said. “This financial assistance will help spur rural economic development and create nearly 500 more jobs.”
The largest grant award is a $615,000 grant that will be used to bring improved telecommunications service to rural areas of North Dakota suffering from job losses and high rates of out-migration. Three grants totaling $600,000 will be used to assist in the renovation or construction of medical facilities in rural areas of Georgia, Kansas and Iowa. Another grant will assist in the construction of a 16-unit assisted living facility for elderly residents in Union, Iowa.
USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Jill Long Thompson said, “These awards are a result of a new USDA effort to assist rural businesses that will help create jobs in some of our nation's most impoverished and depressed rural communities.”
USDA provides financial assistance–targeted to rural areas suffering from high rates of poverty or unemployment–to help create jobs, provide essential services, and stimulate local economic development.
For more information on USDA Rural Development programs contact your state USDA office which can be contacted by dailing (202) 720-4323, or check the Rural Development website at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
A project announcements list is attached.
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