and business growth in Hardeman, Clay

October 07, 2009 - WASHINGTON–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of Tennessee State University as one of 15 historically African-American land-grant educational institutions in 14 states to receive a portion of $1.5 million in economic development and business promotion grants.

"These funds help provide entrepreneurship training and benefits to rural youth," Vilsack said. "President Obama believes our nation's economic competitiveness and the path to the American dream depend on providing every student with an education that will enable them to succeed in a global economy. Using these funds, students will learn to take advantage of existing economic development opportunities in their communities – such as renewable energy resources – as well as the vast business knowledge and connections that these schools and their faculty members have."

The grants from USDA Rural Development will help create businesses, promote cooperatives and provide jobs. The recipients are among the 18 institutions supported under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, a law providing for the establishment of land-grant institutions focusing on agriculture, home economics and the mechanic arts.

TSU will receive a $75,000 1890 grant to fund a series of workshops titled "Building Our Future through Entrepreneurial Development….Youth and Adults" in rural West Tenn. These workshops will teach personal and business development skills for young entrepreneurs will prepare students for apprenticeships and provide training to improve job retention for youth and adults. Workshops are planned for Hardeman County, Tenn. and Clay County, Miss.

Rural Development invests in jobs, businesses, community infrastructure, homeownership and affordable rental housing in rural communities. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 864,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $655 million in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

More information on Rural Development programs available in Tennessee is available online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

Funding of recipients announced today is contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the cooperative agreement. The following is a complete list of the 1890 institutions receiving USDA Rural Development awards:

Alabama:

Alabama A&M University – $115,000

Tuskegee University – $100,000

Arkansas:

University of Arkansas Pine Bluff – $115,000

Delaware:

Delaware State University – $115,000

Florida:

Florida A&M University – $114,681

Georgia:

Fort Valley State University – $100,000

Louisiana:

Southern University and A&M College – $100,000

Maryland:

University of Maryland Eastern Shore – $100,000

Mississippi:

Alcorn State University – $100,000

North Carolina:

North Carolina A&T State University – $115,000

Oklahoma:

Langston University – $113,894

South Carolina:

South Carolina State University – $100,100

Tennessee:

Tennessee State University – $75,000

Texas:

Prairie View A&M University – $35,958

West Virginia:

West Virginia State University – $100,000

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