USDA ANNOUNCES $22 MILLION FOR ALABAMA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Funds Support Business, Housing, Community Facilities, and Utilities
TUSKEGEE, Alabama, August 25, 2005-During an appearance today at Tuskegee University in Alabama, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced approximately $22 million in USDA Rural Development loans and grants to 16 rural businesses, cooperatives, non-profit organizations and municipalities in Alabama.
"Since 2001, USDA Rural Development has invested over $1 billion in Alabama," said Johanns. "The Bush Administration is committed to fostering a vibrant future for rural communities to extend the dream of homeownership to many income-eligible rural families. We're also helping local governments provide vital infrastructure and community services to expand economic opportunities and enhance the quality of life in rural Alabama."
Johanns traveled to Tuskegee to host the latest in a series of Farm Bill Forums in which members of the public are invited to express their views about farm and rural policy, in preparation for the development of the next farm bill in 2007.
Today's announcement includes: funding to Rainbow Omega, Inc. for an intermediate care facility for developmentally disabled adults in Talladega County; expanded water and wastewater systems in Berry, New Brockton and Abbeville; modernization of the Crenshaw County Hospital; and other economic development and community facilities investments throughout the State.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural communities. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $54 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Over 1 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. 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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USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOANS AND GRANTS ALABAMA
For Release: August 25, 2005
County
Recipient
Loan
Grant
Purpose
Total
Baldwin
Baldwin County Cattle and Fair Association
$2,293,863
Construct exposition hall, arena and parking area for new county fairgrounds
$2,293,863
Baldwin, Escambia, Monroe, Conecuh, Covington
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, Inc.
$6,300,000
Electric loan to serve 1,200 new consumers - distribution lines and system improvements
$6,300,000
Bullock
City of Union Springs
$25,000
Assist with purchase of two new police cruisers
$25,000
Clarke
Thomasville Retirement Center
$1,038,370
Rehabilitate multi-family housing complex
$1,038,370
Coffee
The Water Works and Sewer Board of the Town of New Brockton
$904,000
$220,000
Upgrade and expand water system - 53 new customers
$1,124,000
Coffee
Tri-Community VFD
$65,000
Fire Station
$65,000
Crenshaw
Crenshaw County Health Care Authority First Citizens Bank
