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USDA tweaks rules for rural broadband grants

May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 US Ag secretary Tom Vilsack says his agency has come up with new rules to fund broadband services in “unserved” rural areas through its Rural Development Community Connect Grant program.  He says they’ve simplified the application process, are allowing grant applicants to use better tools to define their proposed service areas, and are giving grant applicants “more flexibility” on the types of contributions that can be used to meet their required 15-percent in matching funds.

The USDA can now consider giving funding priority to projects in the most poverty-stricken counties, areas having population declines and the most rural areas in the country.  USDA rural development loans and loan guarantees are also available to “help finance the construction of rural broadband networks.”  To date, the agency says grant program has funded more than 200 broadband projects with more than 122-Million dollars.

Filed Under: News, USDA/Government Tagged With: , , , ,

Tonsager to move on from Rural Development

March 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The director of USDA Rural Development is stepping down. After 12 years in leadership positions at USDA, Dallas Tonsager says he is moving on to the next chapter of his life. Ag Secretary Vilsack says Tonsager’s efforts as Under Secretary for Rural Development “have helped increase opportunity for thousands of rural families, businesses and communities.”  Tonsager oversees a staff of five-thousand people in the rural development division.

Filed Under: Events/Organizations, Human Interest, News Tagged With: ,

COOL author Tim Johnson applauds revisions

March 13, 2013 By 1 Comment

The USDA has revised the Country of Origin Labeling program, COOL, and its original author, US Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota, says that’s a good thing.  A news release from Senator Johnson and Senators Mike Enzi of Wyoming and Jon Tester of Montana praised the proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday. It will require each production step of the animal be printed on the labels of muscle cuts of meat. It also stops the packing facility practice of comingling livestock “from multiple origins and label the meat from those livestock with the same label.”

The proposed rule has grown out of the World Trade Organization’s finding that current COOL regulations are not up to its standards.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) says the new proposed rule will “create more problems for the U.S. beef industry” — including increased costs for processors, retailers and ultimately, for consumers.  Senator Johnson says he’s glad the USDA put forward the proposal so “Americans can be further informed about the origin of the meat they feed their families.”

The proposed amended COOL rule is open for public comment through April 11th (2013).

Filed Under: Livestock, News, Top Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

States receive funds to aid in job creation

December 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced grants and loans to spur economic development in seven states on Thursday.  Secretary Vilsack says, “This funding will help rural business create sustainable, quality jobs.” 

Indiana: 
South Central Indiana REMC will receive a $1 million loan and a $300,000 grant.  The funds will be used for a sewer and wastewater extension to an industrial park in Owen County.  The funds will also support Hoosier Energy to build a facility and spur the creation of commercial and residential development.  The project is expected to create 55 jobs and retain 60.

Iowa: 
Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc will receive a $300,000 grant to supplement an existing loan to benefit Wildwood Hills to help build a multi-purpose facility that will include a dining hall, commercial kitchen, bunk house, and a multi-purpose room.  The project will create two jobs and retain 26.

Osceola Electric Cooperative will receive a $1 million loan to help Chemsol, LLC purchase and pay for start-up costs to operate a dry blood plasma operation.  The project will create 28 jobs.

Missouri:
Ralls County Electric Cooperative will receive $300,000 to help Moberly Area Community College build a campus facility in Hannibal to offer vocational training to residents.

These projects, Vilsack says, will help ensure rural communities attract investments to support business development.

Filed Under: News, USDA/Government Tagged With: , , , ,

Roundtable held to discuss rural housing

June 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Administrator of Rural Housing Programs at USDA Rural Development, Tammye Trevino was in Ohio on Thursday, June 7 meeting with lenders, gathering feedback on the Rural Housing Refinance Pilot Program. Administrator Trevino talked with Brownfield’s Dave Russell about the pilot program and what it means for homeowners.

Audio: Administrator Trevino, USDA Rural Development (11:55 mp3)

Filed Under: Feature Programs, Rural Issues Tagged With: , ,