NEWS RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C.

Tim McNeilly (202) 690-0498

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT CREATIVE MARKETING AND OUTREACH EFFORT RECOGNIZED WITH INTERNATIONAL AWARD
Marketing and Outreach Strategy to Increase Minority and Underserved Community Participation in USDA Rural Development Loan and Grant Programs

     WASHINGTON, January 23, 2005--Agriculture Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development Gilbert Gonzalez today accepted the prestigious Platinum MarCom Creative Award, an international award that recognizes outstanding marketing and communications efforts. USDA Rural Development marketing and outreach products were selected from more than 3,300 entries and were judged on quality, creativity, and resourcefulness.

     "We are pleased that our program has been given this honor. These programs are working to encourage more minority individuals and families to learn about the financial resources available to them, and their ability to increase their economic opportunity and improve their quality of life in rural America," said Gonzalez. "We are committed to ensuring that our outreach and marketing effort is effective and results in greater participation by more qualified applicants."

     The MarCom Creative Awards is an international competition for marketing and communications professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of marketing and communication programs and print, visual and audio materials.

     During the last year, USDA Rural Development's outreach and marketing effort included the development of these products to ensure greater opportunity for participation by underserved individuals and communities in USDA Rural Development's loan and grant programs. As the only federal entity that can essentially assist in building a community from the ground - up, USDA Rural Development has been working to streamline and create consistency in information being provided on the various housing, business, community development and infrastructure loan and grant programs available in rural areas.

     USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $50 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. As a result, over 800,000 jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

#

USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of
discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Return to Rural Development News and Information Room.