USDA ANNOUNCES $7.5 MILLION FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN WEST VIRGINIA
Funds to Assist With Economic and Community Development

CHARLESTON, W.Va., April, 19, 2002 -Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced over $7.5 million in guaranteed loans in U.S. Department of Agriculture funds to assist local economic and community development in rural West Virginia.

"West Virginia citizens will benefit from USDA investments in these projects," said Veneman. "These loans and grants will help spur economic development and job growth in rural communities."

Veneman made the following funding announcements while participating in a roundtable with Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito here today:

Miss Irene's Clubhouse Kids, Inc., Martinsburg, W.Va. - $700,000 guaranteed Community Facilities loan. Funds will be used to assist with the construction of a 7,100 square foot state-of-the-art facility with 24-hour camera surveillance and a high technology security system. The facility will accommodate 16 infants and 200 preschoolers.

Monroe Early Childhood Association, Inc., Union,W.Va. - $80,000 Community Facilities loan and grant package ($25,000 loan/ $55,000 grant). Funds will be used to expand an existing day care facility by adding two additional rooms, pave the parking lot and upgrade the building to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Spencer, W.Va. - $60,000 Community Facilities loan and grant package ($21,000 loan/ $39,000 grant). Funds will be used to purchase a new water tanker truck to serve the City of Spencer - Volunteer Fire Department. The community is currently operating with only one water tanker truck.

Southeastern Appalachian Rural Alliance, Inc., Lewisburg,W.Va. - $73,460 Single-Family Housing Technical and Supervisory Assistance Grant. Funds will be used to provide financial counseling and home buyer education assistance to low-income families in Greenbrier and Monroe Counties.

Taylor County Public Service District - $1,520,000 water loan and grant package ($961,000 loan/ $559,000 grant). Funds will be used to make upgrades to the Thorton system and providing service along Glade Run and Shady Run. Taylor County PSD provides water service to five bulk wholesale customers and to individual customers in the Knottsville area. The improvements are expected to provide better service to the 82 existing customers and bring new service to an additional 33 customers.

Huttonsville County Public Service District - $1,150,000 water loan and grant package ($400,000 loan/ $750,000 grant). Funds will be used to construct a water main transmission line from the city of Elkins along Georgetown Road. Approximately 139 users are expected to benefit from the extension of the existing water system.

Glen White - Trap Hill Public Service District - $3,749,000 water loan and grant package ($2,249,000 loan/$1,500,000 grant). Funds will be used to upgrade the district's existing water distribution and storage system. Residents in the Saxon, Clay Branch and Metalton areas of Raleigh County have been plagued with constant dry wells and loss of water pressure. Improvements are expected to benefit over 3,000 customers.

The Rural Business Service approved two grants for a total of $200,000 for the Vandalia Heritage Foundation:

Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) funds of $100,000 will be used to purchase a historic commercial building in downtown Thomas, WV for lease to small business artisans.

RBEG funds of $100,000 will be used to establish a revolving loan fund for 19 counties in northern West Virginia. The initial emphasis of the loan fund will be to small artisan businesses in Thomas, WV for operating capital and improvements. The fund will eventually provide revolved loans to eligible businesses throughout the 19 county area.

USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs and administers financial and technical 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 the USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .

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