Media Contact:  Tim McNeilly (202) 690-0498
tmcneill@rdmail.rural.usda.gov

USDA ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF $4 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES

     WASHINGTON, April 13, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that $4 million in grants to benefit federally-recognized Native American tribes is available from USDA Rural Development.

     The grants are available under USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities grant program. Priority will be given to eligible tribal colleges to develop essential community facilities in rural communities. Eligible facilities include schools, classrooms, education-related equipment, libraries, cultural museums and dormitories.

     Before filing a preapplication for this assistance, USDA urges potential applicants to meet with Rural Development state office representatives to discuss eligibility requirements and processing procedures. The documentation required will vary depending on the project proposed. Applicants will compete for funds during two windows of opportunity, the first ending on May 11, 2001, and the second on August 17, 2001. A Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for this assistance was published April 10, 2001, in the Federal Register.

     Further information on the program is available from USDA Rural Development state offices. Addresses and phone numbers of state offices are available on USDA Rural Development's web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html.

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