November 12, 2009 - MAURY COUNTY, Tenn.—U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis and USDA
Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode today announced federal funding of
$1,456,500 for three projects in South Central Tennessee. The presentations took
place in separate events at the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, the site of a new
consolidated headquarters for South Central Tennessee Development District
(SCTDD) in
"These investments will put into place infrastructure
that will expand space for civic needs, provide a safe building for our first
responders, help to streamline vital community services, help farmers bring
their products to market and promote the sale of local goods,," said Davis, a
member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations Subcommittee. "I
greatly appreciate the efforts made by Rural Development and local officials in
making these investments a reality. I will continue using my independent
SCTDD Executive Director Jerry Mansfield said the Rural
Development loan of $1,200,000 for construction of a much needed centralized
office. Having staff under one roof instead of three will help streamline
services in the District's service area, which includes
Mount Pleasant Mayor Richard Hendrix said the city has
been awarded a Rural Development grant of $7,500 for renovations and repairs to
the city's fire station. The facility houses 10 full time firefighters and 15
volunteers. Wear and tear from round the clock operations have taken a toll
since the building was constructed in 1987. The city is contributing the balance
of funding needed for the $50,000 of work to repair damage to interior walls,
windows, gutters, and roofing caused by leaks and termites over the
years.
Columbia Mayor William Gentner said his city has been
awarded Rural Development grant of $99,000 for construction of a pavilion to
house the Columbia Farmer’s Market and other civic events. The facility will
provide room for more farmers to join about 30 that regularly sell fresh produce
around the
Goode said, "Congressman Lincoln Davis' long-standing
support for Rural Development means we have the financial resources to fund
construction and needed repairs to civic infrastructure for partners like the
Development District,
Rural Development’s rural business enterprise grant
program provides funding 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. RD also provides loan-guarantees to private lenders
through its Business and Industry program to increase the pool of investment
capital available for business start-up, modernization and
expansion.
Rural Development’s community facilities program uses
direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to provide rural areas with the
financial resources to construct or improve essential services like healthcare,
education, civic, and first responder facilities. Community facilities programs
target rural areas with a population less than
20,000.
Others participating in the event included Sen. Lamar
Alexander's Representative Michael Schulz, Sen. Bob Corker's Representative Paul
Goode, Maury County Mayor Jim Bailey, State Representative Ty Cobb, Columbia
Mayor-elect Dean Dickey, Executive Director of Columbia Main Street Kristi
Martin, SCTDD board members, RD Area Director Faye Rodgers and staff Susan Shuff
and Doug Shelton.
USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, businesses,
community infrastructure, homeownership and affordable rental housing in rural
communities. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 866,000
For more information on home ownership, rural business,
or community development programs in
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