For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, August 8, 2000

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced a $200,000 grant to the Northwest Cooperative Development Center to assist Hispanic farmworkers in Central Washington with economic development.

"While many regions in Washington State have enjoyed prosperity in the '90s, too many of our rural communities have been left behind," said Murray. "Cooperatives are a key part of our efforts to create new opportunities for rural areas."

The Center, through its "Partnering for Rural Cooperative Development in the Northwest" project, will serve as a hub for cooperative development in the region, bringing together an array of financial, technical, and community-based resources.

Currently, the Northwest Cooperative Development Center is currently working with Hispanic farmworkers in central Washington to develop economic development opportunities. In addition to continuing this program, the Center will develop value-added agricultural cooperatives, organic meat processing facilities, fresh produce marketing cooperatives, and other projects.