WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2005- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that 257 Economic Impact Initiative funding requests from 32 states and U.S. territories have been selected to receive over $17 million to assist with community development projects. Nearly $1.9 million of that total will go to fund projects and equipment purchases in the hurricane damaged states of Louisiana and Mississippi.

"This funding will purchase emergency response vehicles, radio gear, warning sirens, improve public safety facilities and upgrade communications systems," said Johanns. "While these requests were submitted and approved before hurricane Katrina struck, these funds will contribute to rebuilding efforts and to the long-term commitment of the Bush Administration to prepare our nation to respond to emergencies of any kind."

While the grants announced today are not part of the emergency assistance that will be available for recovery efforts, Louisiana and Mississippi communities that are in need will receive funds for patrol cars, firefighting equipment, school busses, community centers, multi purpose buildings and vans to provide transportation to people with disabilities.

Emergency preparedness programs across the nation will benefit from the grants. In New Mexico, $550,000 in grant funds will partially fund the construction of a regional command, dispatch and homeland security center to serve the entire Taos region. The facility will consolidate emergency equipment and agencies, decreasing response time to emergency calls and improving public safety. In Salem, Missouri, a $124,900 grant will be used to construct a building for the volunteer fire department, benefiting residents of two counties.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural communities. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $54 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Over 1 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. A complete list of the loans and grants announced today is available at this link.