USDA Announces $5.8 Million in Economic Development Funding

WASHINGTON.- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the selection of 10 organizations in nine states for $5.8 million in loans to spur economic development.

The funding is being made available through USDA Rural Development’s Intermediary Relending Program. It is provided to community development or regional planning groups who then re-lend the money to local businesses. The loans must be used to start new businesses, expand existing ones, or create or retain jobs.

The Cumberland Area Investment Corporation in Cookeville, Tenn., for example, was selected to receive a $750,000 loan to enable it to provide small business loans in the 14 rural counties of the Upper Cumberland area of Middle Tennessee. It is estimated that 300 jobs will be created or saved as a result of this assistance.

In Montpelier, Vermont, the Vermont Small Business Development Corporation was selected to receive a $750,000 loan to provide low-interest loans to businesses and non-profit community development organizations with strong emphasis given to low-income business owners. It is estimated to that 374 jobs will be created or saved as a result of this assistance.

The following is a complete list of groups selected to receive Intermediary Relending Program awards. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the loan agreement. USDA Rural Development mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested nearly $91 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 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 web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.