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Release No. 0301.11 |
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Contact: |
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USDA Office of Communications 202-720-4623 |
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USDA Official Meets Illinois Business Leaders to Discuss Economic Growth and Job Creation |
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 11, 2011 – Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse met with business leaders today to explore ways to improve economic conditions and create jobs through cooperative efforts with federal, state and local officials. The meeting was one in a series of meetings that are being held across the country this summer with senior Administration officials on behalf of the White House Business Council and White House Rural Council. Business leader Tim McArdle, Executive Vice President and COO of Brandt Consolidated, Inc., an international agri-business company headquartered in Springfield, sponsored the roundtable discussion. "The Obama Administration continues its focus on creating good-paying jobs in Illinois and across the nation that help businesses grow and communities thrive," said Scuse. “We encourage Illinois business leaders to share their ideas, because that’s how American ingenuity surfaces, through roundtable discussions like this one that are being held all across the nation. We seek input that can help businesses expand and improve our economy." The White House Business Council's Winning the Future Roundtable with American Business is an opportunity for government leaders to hear directly from area businessmen and women. The goal is to solicit ideas and anecdotal successes from the communities where economic growth begins and needs to be sustained. The exchange also is intended to educate business and community leaders about USDA programs and other resources within the Federal government that are available to help communities compete. Acting Under Secretary Scuse shared recommendations provided by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, chair of the White House Rural Council. They called for investment in rural areas and Federal engagement with a variety of rural stakeholders, including agricultural organizations, small businesses, and state, local and tribal governments. In June, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the first White House Rural Council. Since taking office, President Obama's Administration has taken significant steps to improve the lives of rural Americans and has provided broad support for rural communities. The Obama Administration has set goals of modernizing infrastructure by providing broadband access to 10 million Americans, expanding educational opportunities for students in rural areas, and providing affordable health care. In the long term, these unparalleled rural investments will help ensure that America's rural communities are repopulating, self-sustaining, and thriving economically. # |
