Contact:Tim McNeilly, (202) 690-0498

USDA APPOINTS JOSE A. OTERO-GARCIA TO HEAD RURAL DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN PUERTO RICO

     WASHINGTON, November 30, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today reappointed Jose A. Otero-Garcia as the Puerto Rico State Director for USDA Rural Development.

     Otero-Garcia, from San Juan, P.R., has served as the state director for USDA Rural Development since August of 1999. Prior to becoming state director in 1999, he served as Puerto Rico's Commissioner for Municipal Affairs (1996-99) and as its Deputy Commissioner from 1995 to 1996. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of Puerto Rico's municipal affairs, Otero-Garcia developed a uniform accounting computer system and improved the overall disbursement of Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) that benefited the island's 78 municipalities.

     Otero-Garcia has served as a member of the Governor's Council on Economic Development and Committee for the Development of Main Street. He has received the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Best Practice Ribbon Award for the development of new strategies on citizen participation in the CDBG program.

     Otero-Garcia received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science and economics from the University of Puerto Rico and a Juris Doctorate from the University's Law School.

     USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs, and administers financial and technical assistance through three agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service. Further information on USDA Rural Development programs can be obtained by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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