Link: http.www.usda.gov/2005/09/0366.xml Release No. 0366.05 Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623 Wayne Maloney (202) 690-0498 USDA ANNOUNCES OVER $7 MILLION FOR RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT Funds Benefit 27 Institutions in 22 States WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced nearly $7.3 million in development grants to cooperative development centers in 22 States. The funds will be used to increase economic opportunities in rural areas by assisting farmers and rural businesses in developing cooperative ventures. "Cooperatives allow individuals and small businesses to pool their resources, achieve economies of scale, and develop more sophisticated technical and management skills," said Johanns. "These investments will help farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses obtain the technical support they need to expand their businesses." The Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program awards funds on a competitive basis to non-profit Cooperative Development Centers, many associated with institutions of higher education. These Centers provide rural residents with education and technical assistance in areas of cooperative startup, marketing and management, and other self-help tools. In Mississippi, for example, the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives will receive funds that will be used to assist 15-20 cooperatives in developing and strengthening services to aid limited-resource producers and rural residents in developing successful cooperatives. The services provided will include early-stage technical assistance, director training, new product evaluation, and identification of alternative funding sources. Another recipient, the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, has provided technical assistance and access to capital to the owners of manufactured housing and created a statewide system that enhances cooperative ownership as a solution to the problems of owning a home on rented land. A complete list of selected recipients can be viewed at USDA Rural Development's website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov. USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase 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. As a result, over 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. # USDA News oc.news@xxxxxxxx 202 720-4623 ---------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to oc.news@xxxxxxxx and reference your email address.
