Partnership Work Helps Baltimore Neighborhoods and Watersheds

Twenty-two people were hired in January for “Green Up, Clean Up” teams in Baltimore using ARRA funds.  The Parks and People Foundation was able to expand its job training and skill development programs (Green Career Ladder and BRANCHES), thanks to this $1.077 million agreement which builds on existing partnerships with the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station. Six team leaders and 16 crew members will be trained for community forestry work  and accomplish tree planting; park trail maintenance; retrofitting storm drains to reduce pollution reaching the Chesapeake Bay; and other ecosystem restoration work in targeted Baltimore neighborhoods and watersheds.  Their work will have the duel benefits of reducing the storm water pollution while enhancing the quality of life in Baltimore neighborhoods. “We were overwhelmed by the number of eager men and women who stood in long lines at all four recruitment events held in January.  More than 600 people applied for the 22 (or 20 for USFS only) positions we have available now. Many of the people we interviewed had some work experience, but these stimulus jobs will give each person hired a sounder background, work experience, and training that will aid them in their future.  They are eager to work and to do the type of work that will help natural resources in their neighborhoods.”  Our challenge going forward will be to create additional work opportunities so more can be accomplished and all areas of the city can benefit.  In preparation, Parks & People Foundation will be relocating their operations in the next few weeks to better serve the new USFS-funded crews and to prepare for future workforce development opportunities,” said Jacqueline Carrera, president and CEO of the Parks and People Foundation. The project is scheduled to run for the next 18 months.

 

 

 

 

Permalink  |  Posted: 02:41PM Apr 15, 2010 by Gwen Ernstulrich in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Caroline County Commissioners Community Facility Grant

Rural Development has approved a $50,000 Community Facility Grant.

Current as of 08/18/09

• Rural Development funds will be used to complete renovations to Goldsborough House located in Denton, Maryland.  The House is occupied by Interfaith Housing, a non-profit organization that provides services to lower income residents of all races and creeds.  The organization helps individuals and families with homeownership and repair funding.  They also administer the County’s lead paint removal and well and septic programs.

• Denton, MD has a population of 2,960 with a median household income of $34,936.

Status:  Funds have been obligated for the project and the applicant is getting estimates for the renovation work.

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:04PM Jan 19, 2010 by Gayle Turner in USDA Recovery Act  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Shared Opportunity Service, Inc., Community Facility Grant

Rural Development has approved a $50,000 Community Facility Grant.

 

Current as of 08/18/09  

 

• Shared Opportunity Service, located in Chestertown, MD provides adult education, child development parent education, job skills, peer support, responsible fathers program, wellness education, youth programs and service coordination.  USDA funds will be used to renovate the family support center, make the entrance handicap accessible, purchase lighting, carpet, and a security system.  In addition a 15 passenger van will be purchased.    
• This project will serve the 4,746 residents of Chestertown, MD that has a median household income of $31,530.

  Status:  USDA Funds have been obligated for the project.  The van has been purchased and the first request of funds were approved for the draw on July 2, 2009 for $7,782.03.  A second draw of funds was approved in August 2009 for $33,000 for painting and flooring; this work is currently being completed.

 

 

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:04PM Jan 19, 2010 by Gayle Turner in USDA Recovery Act  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

McCready Foundation, Inc., Community Facility Grant

McCready Foundation, Inc., Community Facility Grant

Rural Development has approved a $37,350

Current as of 08/18/09

• The McCready Foundation, located in Crisfield, MD has been in existence since 1938 and is the non-profit organization overseeing services provided by McCready Memorial Hospital and the Alice Byrd Tawes Nursing Home.  The McCready Foundation Information Technology Department manages all information technology services for the hospital and the skilled nursing facility.  Confidential patient information as well as hospital financial data is processed 24/7 at this facility.
 
• Funds will be used to purchase new computer equipment for the Information Technology Department.  This equipment will protect data loss by providing interrupted power and adding additional memory.

• The hospital and nursing home supports approximately 300 jobs and serves a rural population of 2,723.  The median household income of the area is $17,979.

Status:  USDA Funds have been obligated for the project.  The new equipment has been delivered and a portion of the equipment has been installed.  The equipment should be fully installed in September 2009.

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:04PM Jan 19, 2010 by Gayle Turner in USDA Recovery Act  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

City of Frostburg Community Facility Grant

Rural Development has approved a $50,000 Community Facility Grant.

Current as of 08/18/09

• This project will serve the 7,873 residents of Frostburg, MD that has a median household income of $21,215.
• Funds will be used to purchase a snow plow and dump truck.  The State and County remove snow and ice along interstate highways but do not provide service to rural towns of Allegany County.  The equipment will be used for general highway maintenance such as hauling crushed stone, heavy rocks, dirt, stumps, cinders, rock salt and debris and snow and ice removal during winter months.  This equipment will ensure the safe flow of emergency vehicles, school buses and normal traffic. 

 
Status:  Funds have been obligated for the project and the Town is having a pre-bid opening on August 18 and are hoping to have the contract awarded at the Town council Meeting on August 20.

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:03PM Jan 19, 2010 by Gayle Turner in USDA Recovery Act  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Town of Grantsville Community Facility Grant

Rural Development has approved a $35,100 Community Facility Grant.

Current as of 18/08/09

• This project will serve the 619 residents of Grantsville, MD that has a median household income of $27,778.

• The Town presently has a 2001 truck and plow which is nearing the end of its useful life.  The dump truck and plow need to be replaced to enable the town to maintain streets in winter months/clear roads of snow and ice for safe passage of emergency vehicles and regular traffic.  The State and County maintain interstate highways but do not provide snow removal to remote communities.

Status:  Funds have been obligated for the project and the Town is in the process of advertising for bid.

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:02PM Jan 19, 2010 by Gayle Turner in USDA Recovery Act  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Town of Hancock Community Facility Grant

Rural Development has approved a $50,000 Community Facility Grant.

Current as of 08/18/09

• This project will serve the 1,725 residents of Hancock, MD that has a median household income of $28,750.

• Funds will be used to purchase office furniture, renovate flooring and replace the HVAC unit to start a community activities center.  Currently the Town has no indoor community activities center for the youth of the community.  When completed town residents will be able to use the building for community social education, after school, evening and weekend youth development programs.

• The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is also providing funds in the amount of $28,200.

Status:  USDA Funds have been obligated for the project and the Town is waiting for approval from the ARC to purchase

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:02PM Jan 19, 2010 by Gayle Turner in USDA Recovery Act  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Town of Princess Anne Community Facility Grant

Rural Development has approved a $25,000 Community Facility Grant.

 Current as of 08/18/09 

•  This project will serve the 2,313 residents of Princess Anne, MD that has a median household income of $20,066.
• Funds will be used to purchase a vehicle for the Code Compliance Official who is responsible for all rental inspections in the Town of Princess Anne, building inspections for new and existing projects, tall grass violation, abandoned cars, and recording the upkeep of residential property and businesses throughout the town.

  

Status:  USDA funds have been obligated for this project.  The town expects to have their new vehicle in October.

 

 

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:01PM Jan 19, 2010 by Gayle Turner in USDA Recovery Act  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Feeding the hungry

Thanks to the President and Congress, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 included $20 billion in additional funding to provide food to those most in need. It also provides infrastructure support to the National School Lunch Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations – to make them even stronger. We know there are people in every community who face hunger and need help. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs that form a national safety net against hunger. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program, is our largest nutrition program serving more than 33 million people each month, half of whom are children. In April 2009, SNAP helped 456,526 people in Maryland put more healthy food on the table, reaching 27.2 percent more people than the previous year. The beauty of the program is that it expands and contracts based on economic conditions. ARRA money provides participating SNAP families of four, for instance, an additional $80 each month to purchase nutritious food. Helping the hungry in our communities not only provides needed assistance, but helps all of us by stimulating local economies. Every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates over $9 in total economic activity – both within local communities and well beyond. The diets of low-income Americans are improved every day because of nutrition assistance programs. If you know someone in need, please have them call the SNAP toll-free number, 1-800-221-5689 or visit www.fns.usda.gov. Together, we can work toward the President’s mandate to end childhood hunger by 2015 and improve the lives of our youngest Americans.

Permalink  |  Posted: 01:54PM Jul 31, 2009 by Jean Daniel in USDA Recovery Act  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Tell Us Your Story

USDA is implementing the $28 billion provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This Funding will help jumpstart the Nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. Our efforts will help modernize our nation's infrastructure, revitalize rural communities, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. Give us your feedback and tell us how the Recovery Act is helping in your local communities. All comments will be posted within 24 hours or less.

Permalink  |  Posted: 07:49AM Apr 29, 2009 by Wayne Moore in USDA Recovery Act  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

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Permalink  |  Posted: 01:06PM Apr 02, 2009 by Andy Campbell in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]