Today, United States Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del) and USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Kathy Beisner, announced a $50,000 federal grant award to Primeros Pasos, a non-profit organization dedicated to the establishment of a multi-cultural early child care education center for all children of families living and working in the Georgetown area.
“USDA recognizes that access to quality child care is a major component in helping the unemployed and underemployed make the transition to employment,” said Beisner. “I am confident that this organization is improving the quality of life in rural America and is gifted with the two elements necessary for the success of this facility -- sound management and community support.”
Primeros Pasos (First Steps) has developed a multicultural, early learning program designed to prepare preschool children for academic success in elementary school. Their program began in 2007, and currently operates in donated space provided by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church that provides limited capacity for about 20 children.
Through donations, community support, public and private financing – Primeros Pasos (First Steps) will move from the basement of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to a 1.39 acre property located at 20648 Savannah Road and owned by Primeros Pasos. Three donated modular buildings are on the site that will be retrofitted into a new multi-cultural, early learning center expected to accommodate up to 68 children. The project is in the early stages of work with an estimated opening in the fall of 2014.
The project is made possible in part by a $50,000 community facility grant provided by USDA Rural Development.
President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.
USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.