$25,000 to promote Cumberland Plateau Nature viewing trails

                                                                                                               

July 17, 2009 - SEWANEE, Tenn.—Rural Development Area Director Joe Woody, Assistant State Director for the Nature Conservancy Gina Hancock and Nature Conservancy Conservation Strategies Manager Katherine Medlock announced a Rural Development (RD) Business Grant of $25,000 to promote Cumberland Plateau nature viewing trails. The presentation took place at University of the South.

 

"The Cumberland Plateau is an oasis of small towns, historic districts and abundant wildlife," said Woody. "This investment will help the Nature Conservancy harness under-utilized economic drivers and market the area, diversifying and strengthening income sources for local businesses."

 

The Rural Development grant will be used to design and print maps and brochures of the numerous nature viewing trails across the plateau region. Other funding for the project includes a $15,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant, a $25,000 National Migratory Birds Conservations Act grant, a $15,000 Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency grant, a $12,000 Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation grant, a $20,000 Benwood Foundation grant, a $5,000 Middle Tennessee Community Foundation grant, $25,000 in Nature Conservancy contributions and $4,370 in private contributions, for a total investment of $146,370 for this project.

 

"The Nature Trail project is good for the Cumberland Plateau and we are happy to partner with the Alliance for the Cumberlands and Rural Development to make this project a reality," said Hancock.

 

Other attendees at the event included Rep. Lincoln Davis' representative Justin Walling, Rep. Bart Gordon's representative Jim Stubblefield, The Alliance for the Cumberlands Board of Directors, Cumberlands Project Director for the Nature Conservancy Alex Wyss, and RD staff Jimmy Allen and Alice Wills.

 

Rural Development’s rural business enterprise grant program provides assistance to local governments and non-profit organizations that assist small businesses, develop local business infrastructure, provide job training, conduct feasibility studies or provide technical assistance to businesses and community leaders.

 

USDA Rural Development invests in rural communities through business development, community and homeownership programs. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in the Cumberland Plateau area contact the Rural Development Area Office in Cookeville at 931-528-6539 ext 2, toll free at 800-342-3149 ext. 1493 or visit us online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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