Contact: Dan Campbell (202) 720-6483
dacampbe@rdmail.rural.usda.gov
USDA GEARING-UP HURRICANE RECOVERY EFFORT
Two all-day meetings slated to help residents apply for aid
WASHINGTON, January 12, 2000 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making a major effort to help rural residents and farmers who are still struggling to recover from the ravages of Hurricane Floyd. Together with U.S. Representatives Eva Clayton and Mike McIntyre, USDA will host two meetings in North Carolina to help residents of North Carolina and Virginia apply for housing, farm and food assistance funds.
"Many of those whose homes, farms and businesses were destroyed are still struggling to put their lives back in order, " said Jill Long Thompson, USDA under secretary for rural development. "Some people who lost their homes have been forced to move into substandard housing, while others have lost their source of income. These two all-day meetings are designed to bring these people face-to-face with USDA staff who will explain our programs and help them complete applications for assistance."
The meetings will be held Jan. 22 in Weldon, N.C., and Jan. 29 in Fayetteville, N.C. Members of Congress and USDA personnel will be present to describe the types of assistance available to rural residents living in disaster-designated counties. Certain income level restrictions apply for the receipt of this assistance.
"USDA can help you repair or replace your home, obtain a farm loan, or obtain critical nutrition assistance," Long Thompson said. "I encourage those affected by this disaster to attend one of these meetings to find out if they qualify for our help."
The Weldon meeting will be held at Halifax County Community College, Conference Hall, Rooms 401 A & B. In Fayetteville, the meeting will be held in the Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center. For both meetings, registration begins at 9 a.m. with the presentations to begin at 10 a.m. There is no cost to attend the meetings.
USDA agencies participating in the meetings include: Rural Development; Farm Services Agency; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Food and Nutrition Service; and Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt will also have representatives available to discuss state aid programs.
For more information call Eddie Miller of USDA Rural Development at (919) 873-2011.
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