July 10, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the selection of nearly $66.4 million in essential community facilities projects in 33 states throughout the country that are being funded immediately with federal funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This is the third wave of Recovery Act community facilities investments announced by USDA.

"Communities throughout the country are benefiting from the Recovery Act, and by building or upgrading facilities such as libraries, public buildings and community centers, we are investing in the future of rural America," Vilsack said. "These projects will advance the Administration's efforts to jumpstart the economy by creating jobs and economic development opportunities in hundreds of small towns."

In addition to the $66.4 million that USDA Rural Development is providing for the 345 projects announced, recipients have raised $45 million from other sources.

"In Missouri, $2,168,151 is being invested to help rural communities with 28 projects," said Janie Dunning, Missouri Rural Development State Director. "Many rural residents will benefit with improved health services, more reliable emergency services and a variety of other community improvements."

For example, Rural Development is providing a $108,300 grant to help the Oregon County Sheltered Workshop in Alton, Missouri, to fund a geothermal heating and air conditioning system to improve an older building. The project includes drilling a geothermal well and installing storage tanks, pumps, and controls for the system. It will result in lower operational costs for the Workshop and more comfortable working conditions for the 16 disabled citizens employed by the Workshop in this rural south central Missouri community.

Rural Development is also providing $368,000 to the Worth County Emergency Services, Inc. in Grant City, Missouri, to help finance the construction of a new fire station building to serve the 2,251 residents in Worth County. The existing fire station is old and in poor condition and does not provide adequate storage capacity for fire and rescue vehicles and equipment. The new building will better serve the emergency needs of the residents living in this rural northwest Missouri community.

The funding of these Missouri projects 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 recognized Indian tribes.

A complete listing of the Missouri rural areas benefiting with these American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds include:

Nodaway Health Services, Inc.; $590,000 loan and grant

Worth County Emergency Services, Inc.; $368,000 loan and grant

Bernie Volunteer Fire Department; $175,009 loan and grant

Rolla Rural Fire Protection Association; $130,000 loan and grant

Sweet Springs, Inc.; $79,000 loan and grant

City of Caruthersville; $27,500 grant

City of Thayer; $33,750 grant

Mercer County Local Emergency Planning Comm.; $10,010 grant

City of Richland; $31,100 grant

Carter County Progress & Improvement Corp.; $65,500 grant

City of Callao; $7,590 grant

City of Dexter; $85,000 grant

City of East Prairie; $17,250 grant

City of East Prairie; $12,408 grant

City of Hayti; $85,000 grant

Hutton Valley Neighborhood Watch; $19,000 grant

Naylor Drainage District; $31,814 grant

Oregon County Sheltered Workshop; $108,300 grant

Scott County Commission; $10,000 grant

Summersville Fire Rescue; $5,000 grant

Washington Count Emergency Services; $12,545 grant

City of Lebanon; $59,500 grant

City of Purdin; $5,250 grant

City of Urbana; $22,000 grant

City of Wheaton; $16,125 grant

City of East Prairie; $15,000 grant

Stover Rural Fire Dept.; $130,000 loan

City of Mound City; $16,500 grant

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. 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 or by contacting Kevin Hinkebein at the Farmington Area Office at (573)756-6413 Ext. 4. More information about the Federal government’s efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.