USDA PROVIDES OVER $23 MILLION TO IMPROVE HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN NEW MEXICO

$22.5 Million For A New School For The Mescalero Apache Tribe Is The Largest Community Facilities Funding Package Ever Awarded By USDA

ANTHONY, New Mexico, Oct. 1, 2003—Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the awarding of three Rural Development loan and grant packages totaling $23,258,555 that will improve housing and educational services in rural New Mexico areas.

“The Bush Administration is fully committed to improving educational services to children throughout the Nation,” Veneman said. “Today we’re announcing the largest Community Facilities funding package ever approved by USDA. This $22.5 million K-12 school, serving the Mescalero Apache Reservation, will make quality education available to students on the Reservation.”

Veneman made the announcement while dedicating a 7,000 square foot multi-purpose building for the community of Anthony, New Mexico. USDA provided a $250,000 Community Facilities loan for the building that will house the town’s water and sanitation district and serve as a community center for residents.

Veneman noted that earlier this week USDA announced a $478,555 grant to provide distance learning opportunities for seven schools and tele-radiology equipment for rural communities located in northwestern New Mexico.

“The importance to rural America of having reliable telecommunications service for health and education needs cannot be understated,” said Veneman. “The economic well being and quality of life of our rural communities depends on access to modern technology.”

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .

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