USDA ANNOUNCES OVER $20.4 MILLION IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR RURAL OHIO

COLUMBUS, Ohio, August 7, 2003 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Jim Moseley today announced the approval of $20.4 million in USDA Rural Development loan and grant funds to assist in the expansion of local rural electric infrastructure and distribution and business development as part of the Bush Administration’s effort to spur economic growth in rural areas and improve the overall quality of life for rural Americans.

“These rural capital investments by USDA support the creation of economic opportunities and an improved quality of life for rural Ohio residents,” said Moseley.

Moseley made the following loan and grant announcements while visiting Columbus where he spoke at the 150th Annual Ohio State Fair:

Krupp Interiors, Milan, Ohio -- $1,100,000 guarantee business loan to purchase a 24,000 square foot building to house a new retail furniture store in Milan in Erie County. The loan request was made by First Merit Bank.

Tri M Block & Supply, Inc., Wooster, Ohio -- $1,600,000 guarantee business loan to provide the cement block manufacturer Tri M Block Supply, Inc. in Wayne County improved cash flow and needed working capital. The loan request was made by First MeritBank.

ReUse Industries, Albany, Ohio -- $52,000 solid waste management grant to assist with an education campaign to increase public awareness of the materials that can bereused instead of being disposed of in landfills. ReUse will also coordinate a community clean-up where reusable items will be collected.

Butler County Solid Waste Management District, Wayne and Milford Township, Butler County, Ohio -- $67,000 solid waste management grant to inform residents of Wayne Township and Milford Township of a mobile Recycling Trailer to be in their area to collect recyclable materials. This information campaign will include direct mailings, flyers, billboards, and an educational program to be provided to elementary age children.

Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District, Youngstown, Ohio - $74,000 solid waste management grant to assist with Rural Recycling Education and Awareness Program (RREAP). RREAP will assist communities in conducting household hazardous waste, and will work with schools and county government on expanding recycling a variety of paper products.

Henry County Solid Waste Management District, Ohio -- $13,000 solid waste management grant to aid the sanitary landfill in increasing the amount of concrete and tire recycling. The landfill is using the used tires for leachate filter beds and the concrete is crushed for the landfill. The District will help market and promote this service at the landfill. In addition, the District will assist with an educational program on the proper disposal of household hazardous waste.

Firelands Electric Cooperative, Inc., New London, Ohio -- $3,598,000 electric loan to construct 23 miles of distribution lines and make other system improvements. The improvements are expected to benefit 600 new customers in the cooperative’s service area of Richland, Ashland, Huron and Lorain counties.

Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc., Kenton, Ohio -- $6,295,000 electric loan to construct 40 miles of new distribution lines and make other system improvements. The mprovements are expected to benefit 680 new consumers in the cooperative’s service area of Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Logan, Marion, Morrow, Wyandot, Crawford and Union counties.

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., Oxford, Ohio -- $6,800,000 electric loan to construct 47 miles of new distribution lines, one mile of transmission line and make other system improvements. The improvements are expected to benefit 980 new customers in the cooperative’s service area of Hamilton, Butler, Montgomery and Preble counties.

The Living Word Ministries, Bremen, Ohio, (Perry County) -- $50,000 community facility grant will be made to the faith-based organization to assist in the construction of a new food pantry in Junction City. The existing facility is too small to meet the increasing number of families that are served each month in a truly rural area of Appalachia Ohio.

Family Healthcare, Inc., McArthur, Ohio (Vinton County) -- $852,000 community loan will be used to expand an existing health center in McArthur which is designated as a Health Provider Shortage Area in Appalachia Ohio. The current facility is unable to meet the needs of the county residents and is being expanded to include more exam rooms and a dental clinic.

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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