USDA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR NATIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

WASHINGTON, November 1, 2001 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced funding for the eight National Centers of Excellence that help promote economic development in under-served rural communities.

"Centers of Excellence play a key role in bringing new ideas, revenue sources, and hope to under-served rural communities," said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "These partnerships will help bring economic opportunity to rural America."

The National Centers of Excellence selected include: University of Texas-Pan American , Texas; Somerset Community College , Kentucky; Heritage College , Washington; Cankdeska Cikana Community College , North Dakota; Crownpoint Institute of Technology , New Mexico; Fort Peck Community College , Montana; San Diego State University-Imperial Valley , California; and California State University-Fresno , California.

The National Center of Excellence (NCE) program consists of one-year cooperative partnerships between eight rural institutions of higher education and USDA. The NCE program focuses on economic opportunity, sustainable community development, community-based partnerships, and a strategic vision for change. The cooperative agreement creates strong information sharing and technical assistance links between Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Communities, state USDA Rural Development field staff, colleges/universities, civic organizations and other rural communities.

Each NCE will receive $20,000 from the Department of Agriculture to help rural communities achieve sustainable community development. Funds will be administered through USDA Rural Development's Office of Community Development, which is responsible for Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, Champion Communities and rural community development technical assistance.

USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs, and administers program assistance through three agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service. Further information on USDA Rural Development can be obtained by contacting any USDA Service Center or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .