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TBED Projects Among USDA Opportunity Grants
Last week, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the selection of 29 economic development projects to receive more than $3.1 million. Funding provided through USDA Rural Development's business opportunity grants and economic development loan and grant programs will assist over 455 businesses and create or save nearly 3,000 jobs, according to the grant proposals.
The awards were distributed to projects in 24 states: Alabama ($450,000); California ($50,000); Colorado ($9,500); Georgia ($50,000); Indiana ($50,000); Kansas ($200,000); Kentucky ($48,360); Louisiana ($49,790); Maine ($13,000); Maryland ($50,000); Minnesota ($250,000); Mississippi ($431,687); Missouri ($222,000); Nebraska ($300,000); North Carolina ($50,000); North Dakota ($50,000); Ohio ($50,000); Pennsylvania ($15,000); South Dakota ($200,000); Tennessee ($50,000); Texas ($413,936); Vermont ($35,538); Virginia ($49,587); and Washington ($50,000).
Among the awards were several technology-based economic development initiatives and entrepreneurial assistance programs, including:
- Indiana Business Modernization and Technology Corporation ($50,000) — to provide technical assistance for conducting local community and multi-county economic development planning.
- Northwest Regional Development Commission, Warren, MN ($50,000) — to facilitate a change from a rural economy dependent on the family farmer to an agri-business climate, where smaller farmers and rural entrepreneurs can build their own businesses, join in a value-added venture, or find off-farm work in the enterprises created.
- Dixie Electric Power Association, Laurel, MS ($431,687) — to assist Jones County Junior College in financing the construction of the 50,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Training Center within a new 504-acre technology park near Ellisville in Jones County, MS.
- Vermont Telecommunications Applications Center, Inc., Burlington, VT ($35,538) — to assist the Northeast Kingdom Work-At-Home Project to develop their plan for hiring and training Work-At-Home employees and to assist in providing broadband communications to the region.
The complete list of awards and additional information regarding additional funding opportunities for TBED projects through the USDA are available at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/