For Release: Friday, August 3, 2007
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
LOCAL PROJECTS INCLUDED IN AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that he was successful in securing grants for two Southern Illinois organizations in the Fiscal Year 2008 Agriculture Appropriations bill. The grants will allow both recipients to apply for designated funds from the Office of Rural Development of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The legislation will next be considered by the Senate.
The grants include:
- Shawnee Health Services - Illinois Centre Dental Program. The funds will be used for dental equipment for eight operatories, computer hardware, software, and other equipment expenses.
- Southern Illinois Regional Social Services, Inc. The funding will be used to further treat mental health disorders, which often includes substance abuse treatment, housing, and legal intervention.
"Local organizations like these are critical to providing the health care services that maintain healthy communities," Costello said. "As a member of the steering committee of the Rural Health Care Coalition, I have made increasing access to health care a top priority, and I will continue to work to ensure that these resources are a priority of the federal budget."
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