USDA rural development update

Business Today

The United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program assisted rural Missouri with a record $445 million during fiscal year 2001. This number is up 170 percent from last year, according to a USDA news release.

Gregory Branum, state director for USDA Rural Development in Missouri, said the funds were used to provide quality housing, good jobs, clean drinking water and reliable community facilities and services.

In the RHS, or Rural Housing area, $105.5 million was furnished to 2,090 rural individuals and families for quality housing. Of this amount, $76 million of loan guarantees was provided through partnerships with private sector lenders.

In the RBS, or Business Industry program, more than $30.6 million was loaned or guaranteed to assist 22 businesses across the state. Funds were used to finance retail businesses, service businesses, factory/manufacturing businesses, a residential subdivision, a residential care facility and a child care facility. As a result of these loans, 1,594 jobs were created or saved in rural areas, according to Branum.

In the RUS, or Rural Utilities program, $30 million was made available through 32 loans and 32 grants, which assisted over 8,156 families.

In the electrical distribution area, 17 insured and guaranteed loans for $112.8 million assisted several communities and thousands of existing rural residents.

In the telephone program, two loans for $159.3 million were made to connect approximately 35,000 subscribers. Funds will provide improvements in the transmission and switching facilities plus more fiber optic cables throughout the system.

Through the Community Facilities program, $3.6 million in funds were provided to 43 communities for various projects.

Several cities, communities, counties and organizations were recipients of $2.5 million in various grants. These included 14 Rural Business Enterprise Grants for $1,030,423; 14 Rural Business Opportunity Grants for $620,376; and two Rural Economic Development Loans for $200,000.

Recipients benefited with assistance in planning, feasibility studies, training, conducting surveys, and essential infrastructure in support of economic and community development activities.

The USDA staff located in Jackson provides coverage for the counties of Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry.

For more information about USDA Rural Development, contact Randal Friend, community development manager in Jackson, 243-3158.