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Under Secretary Thomas C. Dorr (click photo to enlarge) addresses farm broadcasters at the 2007 National Association of Farm Broadcasters convention in Kansas City, Missouri on new economic opportunities and the emergence of a Rural Renaissance in America. "A Rural Renaissance" was the title of this year's convention.
WIREC 2008
Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas
C. Dorr (click photo to enlarge) announced that the second annual Washington International Renewable Energy Conference will be held March 4-6, 2008 in Washington, D.C.
August 29, 2007 -- At the 2007 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns (click photo to enlarge) presented an $8.8 million check to EJ Water Cooperative founder Delbert Mundt and CEO Bill Teichmiller. The USDA Rural Development grant and loan will finance a one million gallon per day water treatment plant. Rural Development has partnered with the cooperative since its inception 18 years ago. EJ Water serves 20,000 rural residents in seven counties, sells water to seven community water systems and interconnects with three others.
Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of $1.1 billion in electric loans to finance 1,323 miles of new electric distribution and transmission lines to make system improvements benefiting more than 30,000 consumers in 14 states.
Full
Story
Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced $13.7 million in economic
development grants for rural communities and Native American organizations
in 48 states. The announcement was made at the 54th Annual Farm Progress
Show being held in Decatur, Illinois.
Full
Story
/ Rural
Business Grants Recipient List
Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of $97 million
in guaranteed loans to help businesses in Georgia, Illinois and North
Carolina create jobs and develop renewable energy systems.
Full
Story
Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the availability of
$21.9 million to help rural communities cope with extremely high energy
costs. Communities have until October 1 to apply for grants under this
program.
Full
Story / Notice of Funding Availability
Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of nearly $4 million in grants to 14 tribal colleges in seven states. The funds are being provided through the USDA Rural Development Tribal College Grant program.
Full
Story
Second Annual Rural America Tour:
Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi ...
August 7, 2007 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the award of nearly $4 million in grants to 14 tribal colleges in seven states.
Full Story
Rural
Cooperatives Magazine
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Acrobat Reader.
July 27, 2007 -- Illinois Rural Development State Director Doug Wilson, Illinois Green Pastures Fiber Cooperative Vice President Natasha Lehrer, artist Julia Garand, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, and Cooperative President Donna Lehrer flank the grand prize of the co-op's Americana contest. The contest was part of the Fleece to Fiber Festival, an event developed as part of the co-op's Small Minority Producer Grant to expand their market for specialty wool and other natural fibers. Garand's piece, "Global Nation," incorporates raw natural fiber spun from all the species raised by the co-op's members, as well as corn, soybeans and cotton. As her prize, Garand's artwork will be displayed in the USDA Whitten Building in Washington D.C. for two months. (click photo to enlarge)
July 26, 2007 -- Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development
Thomas C. Dorr today announced the selection of Katherine Kelley Poole as Director of
Legislative and Public Affairs for USDA Rural Development.
Full Story
July 26, 2007 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas C. Dorr announced the selection of Katherine Kelley Poole as Director of Legislative and Public Affairs for USDA Rural Development.
Full Story
October
17, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click
photo to enlarge) was recently in Bordentown, New Jersey, for a ceremony
at the Rutgers "EcoComplex" honoring the recipients of Rural Development grants.
The agency has awarded over $230,000 in grants that will benefit farmers in
the State.
Full
Story
Pictured L to R: Rural Development New Jersey State Director Andrew M.G. Law, Mr. Dorr, EcoComplex Director of Developmental Programs David Specca, and EcoComplex Greenhouse Manager Gene Reiss.
October 12, 2006 -- Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (left, click photo to enlarge), joined by Illinois State Director Doug Wilson (right), presented a $375,000 check to Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative Board Chairman Jimmy Ayers. The central Illinois co-op will use the renewable energy grant to add wind-generated power to their portfolio.
October 12, 2006 -- DOE and USDA announced $4 million for biobased fuels research that will accelerate the development of alternative fuels.
Full Story
October 12, 2006 -- President Bush Discusses Energy at Renewable Energy Conference
October 11, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) addresses the audience on the opening day of the Advancing Renewable Energy Conference.
Under Secretary Dorr's Opening Remarks (PDF)
October 11, 2006 -- Renewable Energy and Biofuels Discussed on "Ask the White House"
Agriculture Secretary Johanns discussed the promise of ethanol and biobased fuels, and his participation in the conference jointly hosted by USDA and DOE. Secretary Johanns joined "Ask the White House" from the conference in St. Louis.
Chat Transcript
October 11, 2006 -- USDA officials announced a fourth proposed rule designating 10 more biobased product categories (representing over 480 products) that must receive special purchasing consideration by all Federal agencies. The designations are part of the Federal Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program, which is being renamed "BioPreferred" as part of an effort to educate Federal purchasers.
Full Story
October 10, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns and Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman announced nearly $17.5 million for 17 biomass research, development and demonstration projects, to help break our nation's addiction to oil.
Full Story
October 10-12, 2006 -- 
Renewable Energy National Conference Highlights
"Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance," a national conference, was hosted by the Departments of Agriculture and Energy on October 10-12, 2006, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Full Event Coverage
October 10-12, 2006: Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance
October 4, 2006 -- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Conner announced that nearly $30 million in loans will be provided to telecommunications firms in Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio and Texas.
Full Story
October 2, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr announced the award of 103 Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants totaling $25,853,991 to provide improved educational and medical services to residents of 38 states.
Full Story / Recipients List(PDF)
October 2, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) was recently in Charleston, W. Va., where he participated in a Broadband Loan and Grant Programs workshop, and announced the award of 103 Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants totaling $25,853,991 to provide improved educational and medical services to residents of 38 states. Pictured is Mr. Dorr with a group of W. Va. grantees and Rural Development Telecommunications Programs staff.
Full Story / Recipients List(PDF)
Pictured L to R: Fayette County Board of Education Director of Technology Benjamin H. Pettry, III; Wetzel County Hospital Director of Radiology Pam Deel; Rural Development W. Va. State Director Robert M. Steptoe, III; Mr. Dorr; Pleasant Valley Hospital Director Trina G. Hannan, RN, BSN, MHA; Rural Development Assistant Administrator for Telecommunications Jacqueline Ponti; Wetzel County Hospital Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Administrator David K. McCartney, CPA, and; Rural Development General Field Representative for Telecommunications Ron Mellon.
October 2, 2006: Broadband Loan and Grant Program Workshop (PDF)
September 29, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) was recently in Delaware for the opening of the Mid-Atlantic Biodiesel plant in Clayton, Delaware. Featured is the ribbon-cutting for the opening. Eligible biodiesel projects can be financed through Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Energy Loans and Grants.
Pictured L to R: Secretary of the Delaware Department of Agriculture Michael Scuse, Mid-Atlantic Biodiesel President Marty Ross, Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner, Rural Development Delaware/Maryland State Director Marlene Elliott, and Under Secretary Dorr.
September 29, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of $1.9 million in grant funds to the Delta Regional Authority to fund projects in 8 states.
Full Story / Recipients List(PDF)
September 28, 2006 -- Lenders will soon have the ability to underwrite USDA Section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed loans using the new Guaranteed Underwriting System.
Full Story / Editorial by Under Secretary Dorr
September 27, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced that 10 electric cooperatives serving rural residents in 15 states will receive more than $234 million in loans to improve infrastructure, erect new lines, and provide service to 6,200 new customers.
Full Story / Recipients List(PDF)
September 27, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns (click photo to enlarge) was recently in Denver, Colo., where he announced that 10 electric cooperatives serving rural residents in 15 states will receive more than $234 million in loans to improve infrastructure, erect new lines, and provide service to 6,200 new customers. Pictured is Secretary Johanns (second from left) with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association members and Rural Development Colorado State Director Mike Bennett (fourth from left). Tri-State is receiving a $139,840,000 loan to build or upgrade transmission lines for customers in five states.
Full Story / Recipients List(PDF)
September 26, 2006: White House Regional Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
September 25, 2006 -- << Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) in the USDA broadcast studio discussing the upcoming national renewable energy conference (see above for conference details) with radio broadcasting representatives from the Midwest.
September 25, 2006 -- >> Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) meets with mayors from Puerto Rico in Washington, D.C. The Under Secretary and Rural Development Administrators discussed with the mayors the more than 40 Rural Development programs available to residents of Puerto Rico's communities.
September 22, 2006 -- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Conner announced that $1.5 million will be provided to fourteen 1890 Land-Grant Universities.
Full Story / Recipients List(PDF)
September 20, 2006 -- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Conner announced that $15.4 in loan and grant funds will be provided to business councils, economic development agencies and cooperatives in 15 states to spur business growth.
Full Story / Intermediary Relending Program Recipients / Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Recipients (PDF)
September 20, 2006 -- 2006 Audit Guidance Available
The Rural Development Audit Program is available for independent public accountants for audits of recipients of Rural Development grants, loans and loan guarantees.
Rural Development Audit Program
September 18, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of $9.8 million to organizations across the country for the repair or rehabilitation of housing in rural areas. The funds will preserve 2,458 housing units, including individual housing, rental properties, or housing cooperatives owned or occupied by very low- and low-income rural residents.
Full Story / Recipients List (PDF)
September 15, 2006 -- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Conner announced the award of $8.9 million in broadband community connect grants. Twenty-one grants in eight states will be awarded, elevating the program to $57.7 million invested to 129 awardees in its 5-year history.
Full Story / Recipients List (PDF)
September 14, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of $4.3 million to fund cooperative development centers and related activities in 20 states.
Full Story / Recipients List (PDF)
September 13, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the selection of 194 applications from 40 states and two territories to receive $22.6 million in Rural Development grant assistance through the Value-Added Producer Grant and Small Minority Producer Grant programs.
Full Story / Value Added Producer Grant Recipients / Small Minority Producer Grant Recipients (PDF)
September 12, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of $16,506,190 in Economic Impact Grants to improve public safety, health care and educational services in 30 states and the Western Pacific. The funds are provided through Rural Development's Community Facilities Program.
Full Story / Recipients List (PDF)
September 8, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of 81 grants totaling $2,647,875 to organizations in 23 states to develop essential community facilities in rural areas.
Full Story / Recipients List (PDF)
September 11, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) recently joined Kentucky State Director Kenneth Slone at an event recognizing two projects funded by Rural Development. Hazard-Perry County Community Ministries, Inc., a faith-based organization, is receiving a $150,000 loan and grant to renovate a preschool it operates, and the City of West Liberty is receiving an $100,000 grant to purchase a fire truck. Pictured is Under Secretary Dorr, Gerry Roll of Hazard-Perry County Community Ministries and State Director Slone.
Full Story
September 8, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr announced the appointment of Jackie J. Gleason as Administrator of Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs.
Full Story
September 8, 2006 -- "The road to energy independence runs through the farm, and USDA Rural Development is playing a key role in encouraging the new agriculture economy represented by the renewable fuels industry."
Editorial by Under Secretary Thomas Dorr.
Read More
August 30, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of $17,510,887 in Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program Grants to 375 recipients in 36 states.
Full Story / Recipients List (PDF)
August 30, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced that $4,690,161 in grant funds will be provided to 16 tribal colleges in eight states.
Full Story / Recipients List (PDF)
August 30, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) was recently in Amana, Iowa, where he presented Amana Farms with a $1,065,850 guaranteed loan and $500,000 grant for installation of an anaerobic digester. The funds are being provided through Rural Development's Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Program.
Full Story
Pictured L to R: Amana Farms Manager John McGrath, Mr. Dorr, Rural Development Business Programs Specialist Tom Miller and Rural Development Iowa State Director Mark Reisinger.
August 29, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced $1.26 million in financial assistance to expand business and job opportunities in Ohio through Rural Development's Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program.
Full Story
August 25, 2006 -- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Conner announced that public television networks and stations in nine states will receive $4.97 million to enable them to provide digital broadcasting services to rural residents.
Full Story / Recipients List
August 24, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced that $309,393,000 in electric loans will be provided to utilities in 13 states to provide improved services to an estimated 36,629 customers.
Full Story / Recipients List
August 24, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) recently toured the Let’s Help, Inc. facility in Topeka, Kansas, with Let's Help President/CEO Colette Murphy. Let's Help is a community services organization that has partnered with Rural Development to help connect its customers with our programs and opportunities.
Full Story
August 21, 2006 -- Ginnie Mae announced that Rural Development's Multi-Family Housing Program Section 538 guaranteed loans, which are used to revitalize Section 515 loans, are now eligible as collateral backing Ginnie Mae Multi-Family securities.
Full Story
August 17, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of 68 grants totaling $6,523,761 to fund rural economic development projects in 42 states and Guam.
Full Story / Recipients List (PDF)
August 16, 2006 -- Rural Development announced the availability of supplemental hurricane disaster assistance through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant programs. The assistance includes $20,000,000 in grants and $149,253,000 in direct loan funds for essential community facilities in rural areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and other 2005 hurricanes.
Federal Register Notice (PDF)
August 15, 2006 -- City of Lindsay, Calif., Police Chief Ramon Figueroa, Sergeant Jerry Martinez, Under Secretary Dorr and State Director Ben Higgins (pictured L to R, click photo to enlarge) in front of a hybrid emergency response vehicle, one of two purchased by the city with Community Facilities grant funds. The vehicles get 30 mpg in the city, double the mileage of the vehicles they replaced.
Full Story
August 10, 2006 -- Keynote speakers have been confirmed for Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance, a conference hosted by the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) that will take place October 10-12, 2006, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Full Story
August 10, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr and other USDA officials wrapped up a tour of community, renewable energy and economic investments in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota supported with funding provided by Rural Development and other USDA agencies.
Full Story / Photo Gallery
August 9, 2006 -- A group of about 50 rural leaders, stakeholders and policy-makers joined residents of St. James, Minn., to celebrate the ground breaking of the new St. James Area Medical Center, funded with USDA Rural Development support.
Full Story
August 9, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns and Energy Secretary Bodman announced the appointment of twelve members for the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee.
Full Story
August 8, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns released an analysis of the Department's renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
Full Story / Executive Summary and Full Analysis / Secretary Johanns's Remarks
August 8, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns (click photo to enlarge) answers reporters' questions at Siouxland Energy and Livestock Cooperative in Sioux Center, Iowa, which produces 25 million gallons of ethanol a year. Secretary Johanns announced the selection of 12 projects in Iowa, Kansas and Oregon to receive over $9 million to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives. Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr and other USDA officials were on a three-state tour of USDA-funded investments in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota, and they joined the Secretary in Sioux Center.
Full Story / Secretary Johanns's Remarks / Recipients List (PDF)
August 2, 2006 -- Secretary Johanns announced that $263,513,000 in electric loans will be provided to utilities to upgrade services and facilities in nine states.
Full Story / En Español
August 1, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr announced the selection of organizations in 11 states to receive $954,000 in Rural Housing Technical and Supervisory Assistance grants. Over 1,800 families will receive counseling and assistance as they seek to obtain or maintain adequate housing.
Full Story / En Español / Recipients List
Rural Cooperatives
Magazine
Jul./Aug. 2006
PDF files require the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
July 31, 2006 -- Rural Development announced the availability of approximately $495,000 in competitive cooperative agreement funds for Fiscal Year 2006 to conduct research on the national economic impact of cooperatives.
Federal Register Notice (PDF)
July 25, 2006: White House Regional Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
July 24, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr announced the appointment of James F. Fitzgerald as chief of staff for Rural Development.
Full Story
July 21, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr announced the award of $594,000 to organizations in six states for the repair and/or rehabilitation of 137 housing units.
Full Story / En Español
July 20, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of 25 loans and grants totaling over $9.4 million to assist rural communities and businesses in 11 states.
Full Story / En Español / Recipients List (PDF)
July 12, 2006 -- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner announced the availability of more than $6.2 million in grant funds through the Rural Community Development Initiative.
Full Story / Federal Register Notice (PDF)
July 7, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns released a comprehensive analysis of USDA rural development programs compiled by USDA economists.
Full Story / Executive Summary and Full Analysis
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