Rural Development Administrator Lillian Salerno visited the state today to announce investments that will help rural businesses grow and create jobs and support small business.
“USDA partners with communities across the country to create greater economic opportunity for rural Americans,” said Salerno. “Supporting the people who live in rural areas, by creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity for rural small businesses, is a top priority for the Obama Administration.”
Several of the projects are being supported under USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity initiative, which aims to increase investments in rural communities through intensive outreach and strong partnerships with community leaders, businesses, foundations and other groups that are working to combat persistent poverty.
“Today’s events highlight the importance of engaging with local leaders and community members to develop long-term economic plans, leverage limited resources through close collaboration with state and federal partners, philanthropic organizations, and local institutions, to improve economic opportunity in our rural communities,” State Director Bobby Goode said.
A $70,000 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) awarded to Memphis Bioworks Foundation will be used to assist in their AgLaunch program. A multi-county project aimed at attracting and starting high-growth companies in agriculture that encourage a culture of entrepreneurship within rural communities.
Dyersburg State Community College will use a $30,400 RBDG to assist eleven counties in rural Northwest Tennessee to become an ACT Work Ready Community. By earning this designation northwest Tennessee will have the data, process and tools that drive economic growth.
Communities Unlimited will use a $20,392 RBDG to provide technical assistance, managerial training and counseling to small business owners and entrepreneurs located in Fayette and Hardeman counties.
Joining Administrator Salerno in Tennessee, Deputy Administrator Sam Rikkers recognized that the Rural Energy for America Program grants totaling more than $460,000 awarded to L & H Gin in Alamo, Parker Farms in Ripley and Scott, Black Inc. in Humboldt will create enough energy to power 112 homes while reducing energy costs and carbon footprint.
USDA Rural Development is moving investments to rural America with housing, business and infrastructure loans and grants to create jobs and strengthen rural economies with an emphasis to assist areas of persistent poverty. Since 2009, the agency has assisted more than 1.5 million Tennessee families and businesses in 230 communities in all 95 counties of Tennessee, investing more than $5.4 Billion through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.
For more information on USDA Rural Development programs available in Tennessee visit us online at www.rd.usda.gov/TN.