USDA ANNOUNCES $11.8 MILLION FOR 19 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROJECTS IN RURAL AREAS

Release No. 0010.10

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USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES $11.8 MILLION FOR 19 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROJECTS IN RURAL AREAS Projects Funded Include Community Centers, Courthouse, and Fire Departments in 11 States

WASHINGTON, Jan.12, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of $11.8 million in community facilities projects that are being funded with federal funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. USDA has announced $337 million in Recovery Act funding for community facility projects to date. "President Obama is committed to improving the quality of life for rural residents by ensuring that rural communities have quality public facilities such as community centers, courthouses, health centers and hospitals," Vilsack said. "The Recovery Act funds announced today demonstrate continued efforts to rebuild and revitalize rural communities throughout the country." For example, in Chouteau County, Mont., the Big Sandy Activities Center has been selected to receive a $346,000 loan and a $115,500 grant to build a new building for developmentally challenged individuals living in Big Sandy and surrounding communities. The students will be able to acquire life skills in a safe and professionally-operated facility. Big Sandy is a farming community in the northern Chouteau County and is located on the outskirts of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. Meanwhile, the judicial center in Lawrence County, Tenn., has been selected to receive a $165,000 loan and a $29,000 grant for renovations. The current courthouse contains both court and jail facilities. When renovated, the building will improve public safety by providing for separate entrances and exits for both the courthouse offices and the jail. In addition to the $11.8 million that USDA Rural Development is providing to fund the 19 projects announced today, recipients will provide nearly $4.4 million from other sources. Funding of each loan and grant recipient is contingent upon meeting the conditions of the agreement. Click 'Read More' below for a complete list of the selected recipients and more information about the USDA's Recovery Act.

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Connecticut

• Quinbaug Valley Emergency Communication Center; $1,800,000 million loan; renovate emergency communication center

Illinois

• County of Stark; $24,500 grant; construct salt shed
• Village of Pulaski Public Safety; $62,730 grant; renovate fire station
• Village of Elkville; $80,000 loan; $40,000 grant; construct a fire station

Indiana

• Montpelier Community Center; $200,000 grant; construct new multipurpose facility

Iowa

• Howard-Winneshiek Community School District; Lime Springs/Chester Spring Ahead Learning Center; $200,000 grant; build daycare/early childhood development center

Montana

• Big Sandy Activities Center; $346,000 loan; $115,500 grant; construct special needs center

North Carolina

• Town of Mills River Town Hall/Library Building; $1,030,000 loan; construct town center to include town hall, library, and meeting rooms
• Town of Seaboard Town Hall/Police Facility; $452,500 loan; $125,000 grant; construct a multipurpose facility to house town hall and police department
• Seaboard Volunteer Fire Department Facility; $550,000 loan; $135,000 grant; construct Fire Department facility
• Jackson County Public Library; $200,000 grant; purchase equipment and furnishings for new library

Ohio

• Montville Township; $3,531,000 loan; construct a new safety service center to house police, emergency medical and fire services

Pennsylvania

• Goodwill Fire Company No. 1; $836,145 loan; $147,555 grant; construct a fire station

South Dakota

• Lake Norden Community Center; $481,000 loan; $100,000 grant; construct a community center

Tennessee

• The Exchange Club; $206,000 loan; $75,000 grant; purchase and renovate a child abuse prevention facility
• Lawrence County Courthouse Renovation; $165,000 loan; $29,000 grant; construct and renovate judicial center
• Lawrence County Solid Waste Building; $132,000 loan; $124,000 grant; purchase and install material and fixtures to expand an existing recycling center

Wisconsin

• Town of Wilton; $63,000 grant; construct and enclose salt/sand shed
• Town of Kingston; $497,000 loan; $100,000 grant; construct a new facility to be used as a senior center and town hall

The funding announced today is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program, which helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include childcare centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through this program, USDA ensures that such facilities are available to all rural residents. These funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes. More information about USDA Rural Development can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov .

President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation’s economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

More information about USDA’s Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery . More information about the Federal government’s efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov .