USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode today announced Memphis Area Association of Governments (MAAG) receipt of a grant to assist low and very-low-income rural residents in Fayette, Tipton and Lauderdale Counties.
“These grants help rural homeowners improve their properties,” Goode said. “Funds may be used to resolve health or safety issues, make accessibility modifications for people with disabilities or make energy-efficiency improvements.”
The $45,000 grant is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grant program and will be used to provide funding for seven low and very-low income families for owner-occupied housing repairs.
Others participating in the event include Senator Lamar Alexander Field Representative Chris Connolly, Senator Bob Corker Field Representative Nick Kistenmacher, Lauderdale County Mayor Maurice Gaines, City of Halls Mayor Eugene Pugh, MAAG Executive Director Ralph Moore, Delta Human Resources Representative Ronnie Twisdale, USDA Area Office Director Arlisa Armstrong and USDA Area Office Specialist Josh Wilkerson.
Lauderdale County is one of 53 counties in Tennessee designated for support 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 other federal, state, and local agencies, community leaders, businesses, foundations, and other groups that are working to combat persistent poverty.
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 $6.6 billion through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.
For more information on USDA Rural Development programs available in Southwest Tennessee, contact the Jackson Area Office at 731-668-2091, or visit us online at www.rd.usda.gov/TN.