September 25, 2009 -MUNFORD, Tenn.—Rural Development Area Director Harriet Cannon and Munford Mayor Dwayne Cole today announced a federal investment of $9,600 to increase small business development opportunities and promote community events. The check presentation took place at Munford City Hall.

 

"Small business is the economic engine of rural communities, creating jobs and helping maintain a healthy, diversified local economy," said Cannon. "This investment will help Mayor Cole and the leadership here in Munford keep up with advances in technology that support small business development and to help entrepreneurs grow good new jobs for the area."

 

The Rural Development grant will be used to upgrade Munford's website using newer technology to make it faster, easier to navigate and capable of delivering online resources for marketing area businesses to visitors and locals. The city is contributing an additional $4,400 to the project.

 

"Every community needs a viable website to promote itself, communicate with its residents and recruit business," said Cole. "The City of Munford has a good site now, and through funding from Rural Development, we will be able to take our website to new heights. We are so pleased to receive this grant and look forward to adding many amenities to our website that will make it more user-friendly, efficient and effective."

 

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.

 

Others participating in the presentation included Sen. Lamar Alexander’s representative Evann Freeman, Rep. John Tanner’s representative Margaret Black, State Representative Barrett Rich, South Tipton Chamber Executive Director Rosemary Bridges and Munford Alderman Terri Collin.

 

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership and affordable rental housing, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses, investing more than $435 million through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in Tipton County contact the Rural Development Area Office in Jackson at 731-668-2091, toll free at 1-800-342-3149 ext. 1495 or visit us online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.