Family farms and small businesses are the economic engines of rural communities, creating jobs and helping maintain a healthy, diversified local economy. To help increase farm-to-table opportunities in the region, U.S. Congressman Phil Roe, M.D., USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode, and Jonesborough Mayor Kelly Wolfe today joined local leaders to announce federal funding to help fund the Jonesborough Farmer’s Market Store - Boone Street Market. The event was held at the future home of the market on Boone Street in Jonesborough.
Congressman Roe said, “With the current state of the economy, it is increasingly up to local leaders to spur economic growth. The expansion of the Jonesborough Farmers Market promises to attract more residents to the downtown area to shop. I congratulate the Town of Jonesborough and the Jonesborough Farmers Market, and thank the USDA Rural Development for their investment.”
Boone Street Market will provide farmers an established selling location where they can get their goods to the local customer and increase the opportunities for families to eat fresh, healthy food. The $21,250 Rural Business Enterprise Grant will be combined with $137,350 in additional funding to complete the project.
"Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared this week, August 3 through 9, as National Farmers Market Week when we recognize the important role that farmers markets play across the nation, the farmers who make them possible, and the communities that make the investments to improve the lives of their citizens,” said Goode.
Also participating in the event was U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander's Representative Lana Moore.
Rural Development’s rural business grant programs provide assistance to local governments and non-profit organizations that assist small businesses, develop local business infrastructure, provide job training, conduct feasibility studies or provide technical assistance to businesses and community leaders.
USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, infrastructure, community development, health, education, homeownership and affordable rental housing to improve the lives of people in rural areas and the economic health of rural communities. During the last four years the agency has assisted more than 1.5 million Tennessee families and businesses in 158 communities, investing more than $3.7 Billion into local economies through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.
For more information on Rural Development programs available in northeast Tennessee contact the Rural Development Area Office in Greeneville 423-638-4771 ext. 4, toll free at 800-342-3149 ext. 1490 or visit us online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.