List of Rural Business Opportunity Grants

                                         Release No.0183.00
                                                           
                                Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
                                      susan.mcavoy@usda.gov
                                Dan Campbell (202) 720-6483
                                      dan.campbell@usda.gov
                                                           
  USDA TO INVEST $13.3 MILLION IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
  
       WASHINGTON, May 31, 2000   Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
  today announced $13.3 million in grants, loans, and loan guarantees to
  47 new rural economic development projects across the country.  The
  investments will create or save 967 jobs in areas of high unemployment,
  and generate $4.4 million in leveraged funds.
  
  "Many of America's rural areas have not yet fully shared in the
  nation's strong economy," Glickman said.  "This financial assistance
  will help spur rural economic development and create nearly 500 more
  jobs."
       
       The largest grant award is a $615,000 grant that will be used to
  bring improved telecommunications service to rural areas of North Dakota
  suffering from job losses and high rates of out-migration.  Three grants
  totaling $600,000 will be used to assist in the renovation or
  construction of medical facilities in rural areas of Georgia, Kansas and
  Iowa. Another grant will assist in the construction of a 16-unit
  assisted living facility for elderly residents in Union, Iowa.  
  
       USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Jill Long Thompson
  said, "These awards are a result of a new USDA effort to assist rural
  businesses that will help create jobs in some of our nation's most
  impoverished and depressed rural communities."
  
       USDA provides financial assistance targeted to rural areas
  suffering from high rates of poverty or unemployment to help create
  jobs, provide essential services, and stimulate local economic
  development.
  
       For more information on USDA Rural Development programs contact
  your state USDA office which can be contacted by dialing (202) 720-4323,
  or check the Rural Development website at:  http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
  
                                #

RURAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY GRANTS
State Amount Purpose
Arizona $175,000 Implementation of the Four Corners Enterprise Community strategic plan for economic development
Arkansas $49,548 Funds to increase the sales of Arkansas products in domestic and international markets
California $46,525 1-day workshop to present economic development concepts to local officials and interested parties
California $45,642 1-day workshop to present economic development concepts to local officials and interested parties
Georgia $95,000 To collect data to allow the region to compete in attracting businesses into the area
Georgia $20,000 Provide guidelines for development of small and middle sized companies to promote tourism
Idaho $25,000 Economic development strategic plan that includes a shopping complex for the Duck Valley Reservation
Maine $50,000 Funds for a regional business support center to provide technical assistance to small businesses with growth potential
Missouri $6,510 Strategic Plan for economic development for Washington County
Montana $30,000 Create a community re-development plan for a hub community in the Ft. Peck Tribal Enterprise Community
New York $385,000 Planning and entrepreneurial training course
New York $110,000 Economic development planning and leadership training and entrepreneurial training course
North Dakota $615,000 Technical Assistance to develop the use of information technology for economic development
North Dakota $200,000 Planning, training, and deployment of e-commerce for rural areas of the State
Oklahoma $33,750 Feasibility analysis for growing, processing, and manufacturing products from kenaf
Pennsylvania $60,045 Promote and enhance e-business through rural online computing centers
Pennsylvania $20,000 Evaluation and feasibility study for an industrial park at a brownfields site in Central City
South Dakota $46,800 Provide entrepreneurial and leadership training to rural business and establish a support center
South Dakota $40,000 Establishment of a full-time position to stimulate economic growth in Day County
Vermont $250,000 Support to existing and new farms by using the travel industry to add value to the farming business
Wisconsin $70,000 Provide capital for the formation and growth of technology-based enterprises
TOTAL $2,373,820

**RURAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY GRANTS**
State	Amount	Purpose
Arizona	$175,000	Implementation of the Four Corners Enterprise Community strategic plan for economic development
Arkansas	$49,548	Funds to increase the sales of Arkansas products in domestic and international markets
California	$46,525	1-day workshop to present economic development concepts to local officials and interested parties
California	$45,642	1-day workshop to present economic development concepts to local officials and interested parties
Georgia	$95,000	To collect data to allow the region to compete in attracting businesses into the area
Georgia	$20,000	Provide guidelines for development of small and middle sized companies to promote tourism
Idaho	$25,000	Economic development strategic plan that includes a shopping complex for the Duck Valley Reservation
Maine	$50,000	Funds for a regional business support center to provide technical assistance to small businesses with growth potential
Missouri	$6,510	Strategic Plan for economic development for Washington County
Montana	$30,000	Create a community re-development plan for a hub community in the Ft. Peck Tribal Enterprise Community
New York	$385,000	Planning and entrepreneurial training course
New York	$110,000	Economic development planning and leadership training and entrepreneurial training course
North Dakota	$615,000	Technical Assistance to develop the use of information technology for economic development
North Dakota	$200,000	Planning, training, and deployment of e-commerce for rural areas of the State
Oklahoma	$33,750	Feasibility analysis for growing, processing, and manufacturing products from kenaf
Pennsylvania	$60,045	Promote and enhance e-business through rural online computing centers
Pennsylvania	$20,000	Evaluation and feasibility study for an industrial park at a brownfields site in Central City
South Dakota	$46,800	Provide entrepreneurial and leadership training to rural business and establish a support center
South Dakota	$40,000	Establishment of a full-time position to stimulate economic growth in Day County
Vermont	$250,000	Support to existing and new farms by using the travel industry to add value to the farming business
Wisconsin	$70,000	Provide capital for the formation and growth of technology-based enterprises
TOTAL	$2,373,820

INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM
State Amount Recipient
California $600,000 Arcata Economic Development Corporation
Illinois $750,000 Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone
Iowa $600,000 Region XII Council of Governments
Montana $500,000 Butte Local Development Corporation
Montana $300,000 Montana Community Development Corporation
Nebraska $750,000 Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District
Nevada $750,000 Rural Nevada Development Corporation
Ohio $500,000 Portage Area Development Corporation
South Dakota $750,000 West River Foundation
Tennessee $750,000 Savannah Industrial Development Corporation
Tennessee $500,000 Technology 2020
TOTAL $6,750,000

**INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM**
State	Amount	Recipient
California	$600,000	Arcata Economic Development Corporation
Illinois	$750,000	Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone
Iowa	$600,000	Region XII Council of Governments
Montana	$500,000	Butte Local Development Corporation
Montana	$300,000	Montana Community Development Corporation
Nebraska	$750,000	Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District
Nevada	$750,000	Rural Nevada Development Corporation
Ohio	$500,000	Portage Area Development Corporation
South Dakota	$750,000	West River Foundation
Tennessee	$750,000	Savannah Industrial Development Corporation
Tennessee	$500,000	Technology 2020
TOTAL	$6,750,000

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS
State Amount Purpose
Idaho $100,000 Assist the Coeur d'Alene Tribe to construct a building for the production of particleboard panels produced from locally grown bluegrass straw
Iowa $450,000 Assist in establishing a value-added pork processing facility in Sigourney
Kentucky $400,000 Purchase of equipment for the Synergy Tool and Gauge facility in Cox's Creek
Kentucky $100,000 Purchase of equipment for expansion of Integrity Mold and Die, Ltd. (IMD), a plastic and mold manufacturer and tool and die shop
Missouri $450,000 Establishing a blast freezer and refrigerated warehousing facility in Chillicothe
Missouri $360,000 Financing for construction of a multi-tenant industrial building in Webster County
Montana $135,000 Purchase and renovation of building for a learning and training center in Cut Bank
New Mexico $450,000 Financing of equipment for expansion of a peanut shelling and processing plant near Portales
Pennsylvania $450,000 Expansion of ChipBlaster, Inc., a machining company
South Carolina $300,000 Construction of a 12,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Laurens County
TOTAL $3,195,000

**RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS**
State	Amount	Purpose
Idaho	$100,000	Assist the Coeur d'Alene Tribe to construct a building for the production of particleboard panels produced from locally grown bluegrass straw
Iowa	$450,000	Assist in establishing a value-added pork processing facility in Sigourney
Kentucky	$400,000	Purchase of equipment for the Synergy Tool and Gauge facility in Cox's Creek
Kentucky	$100,000	Purchase of equipment for expansion of Integrity Mold and Die, Ltd. (IMD), a plastic and mold manufacturer and tool and die shop
Missouri	$450,000	Establishing a blast freezer and refrigerated warehousing facility in Chillicothe
Missouri	$360,000	Financing for construction of a multi-tenant industrial building in Webster County
Montana	$135,000	Purchase and renovation of building for a learning and training center in Cut Bank
New Mexico	$450,000	Financing of equipment for expansion of a peanut shelling and processing plant near Portales
Pennsylvania	$450,000	Expansion of ChipBlaster, Inc., a machining company
South Carolina	$300,000	Construction of a 12,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Laurens County
TOTAL	$3,195,000

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
State Amount Purpose
Alabama $200,000 Assist in financing the construction of a sewer system for Dodge City
Georgia $200,000 Assist in the construction and equipping a medical clinic in Brantley County
Iowa $200,000 Assist in the construction of a 16-unit assisted living facility for the city of Conrad
Iowa $200,000 Assist in the renovation of an existing hospital building into a medical center and assisted living facility in Forest City
Kansas $200,000 Assist in the expansion of Stevens county Hospital in Hugoton
TOTAL $1,000,000

State	Amount	Purpose
Alabama	$200,000	Assist in financing the construction of a sewer system for Dodge City
Georgia	$200,000	Assist in the construction and equipping a medical clinic in Brantley County
Iowa	$200,000	Assist in the construction of a 16-unit assisted living facility for the city of Conrad
Iowa	$200,000	Assist in the renovation of an existing hospital building into a medical center and assisted living facility in Forest City
Kansas	$200,000	Assist in the expansion of Stevens county Hospital in Hugoton
TOTAL	$1,000,000