Rural Development is the lead Federal agency that works to ensure that rural families have access to safe, well-built, affordable homes.  In February 2012, the agency initiated a two-year, pilot refinancing program in 19 states hardest hit by the Nation’s housing downturn to help eligible USDA borrowers reduce their monthly housing costs.

Today, USDA announced that the program is expanding to include eligible rural residents in Puerto Rico, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Read more »

By  West Virginia USDA Rural Development Public Affairs Specialist Gail Bennett

A building dedication was held for the Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency’s (JCESA) Operations Center earlier this month in Ranson, WV.  On hand and a featured guest speaker for the formal ceremony was USDA Rural Development’s Housing and Community Facilities Administrator Tammye Trevino. 

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito gave congratulatory remarks as another featured guest speaker.  An emergency occurred during her speech and the operations center was in full alert with ambulances and emergency personnel in action. 

Other distinguished guests included West Virginia USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Lewis; Honorable Patsy Noland , Jefferson County Commission Vice-President;  Members of the JCESA Board of Directors; JCESA Building Committee members; JCESA Administrative Staff; Mayor Peggy Smith and Julie Quirk of the USDA Rural Development Office of General Counsel (OGC) and her administrative assistant Pat Foote.

The JCESA Operations Center was funded, in part, with a $1.3 Million Community Facilities Direct Loan.  The land for the facility was donated by Fairfax Crossing, LLC, and the City of Ranson.  Office equipment and furnishings were donated by local groups.  

The new 6,700 square foot state-of-the-art center contains administrative offices, a conference room, a training room, crew quarters and three bays. The facility replaces JCESA’s former home – a cramped, converted service station.

Tammye Trevino, Rural Development Housing Administrator, addresses the audience at the dedication.

Row 1 (l to r):  Paula Moeller (WV RD Community Facilities Specialist); Pat Foote (OGC); Kathy McEntee (RD Housing & Community Facilities Chief of Staff); Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito; Tammye Trevino (RD Housing and Community Facilities Administrator); and Anna-Marie Lantz (RD Area Specialist)
Row 2 (l to r):  Bobby Lewis (WV RD State Director); Gail Bennett (RD Public Affairs Specialist); Howard Page (RD Area Specialist and Civil Rights Coordinator); Julie Quirk (OGC); and Craig Burns (RD Area Director).