LEXINGTON, Ky., September 11, 2006--Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr joined Kentucky State Director Kenneth Slone in distributing funds to renovate a pre-school facility operated by a faith-based organization and for first responder equipment in Kentucky today.

     "It is always a great feeling to provide funding to rural communities for needed projects," said Dorr. "We invested more than $598 million in rural Kentucky during the last fiscal year, part of the continuing commitment of the Bush Administration to make a real difference in the lives of rural families."

     Gerry Roll of Hazard-Perry County Community Ministries, Inc (HPCCM) accepted a $150,000 check representing a loan and grant from USDA Rural Development for her faith-based organization. Funding will be used to renovate the Starland Child Development Center, a day-care, pre-school, and early childhood development center in Hazard, KY. The center has a current enrollment of 150 children, with an additional 75 enrolled during the summer, and serves a population of 29,390 in rural Perry County.

     Robert Nickell, Mayor of West Liberty, accepted a $100,000 community facilities grant check which will enable the city to purchase a new fire truck. West Liberty, with a population of 3,277 is located in Morgan County, one of Kentucky's persistent poverty counties.