WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2005 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the selection of twelve 1890s Land Grant Universities to receive nearly $1.2 million in funding to support technology and business development assistance in rural communities.

"The 1890 colleges and universities play a key role in providing technical assistance and business development leadership to rural minority communities," said Johanns. "USDA's partnership with these outstanding institutions significantly advances President Bush's commitment to enhance educational opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship and create jobs in rural America."

The 1890 Institutions have some of the finest agricultural science and business education programs in the nation and, in partnership with USDA, they have devoted significant resources to business development and technical assistance in local communities. At the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, for example, funding will be used for business enterprise creation, specializing in technology-based products and services. Funds will also be used to establish a business incubator that will house a dozen or more new and start-up businesses. Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana will receive funds to provide outreach and technical assistance to entrepreneurs, businesses and cooperatives in four rural communities and parishes. Florida A&M University will receive funds to provide business and economic development outreach to eight rural counties in Northern Florida. A complete list of the grants is available on the USDA web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. 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. More than one 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.