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RBEG

USDA Rural Development Provides $500,000 to Eastern Maine Development Corporation to Help Aid Rural Businesses and Create Jobs

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced loans and grants for 39 projects that will help rural businesses in 21 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

“Supporting small, rural businesses helps create jobs and promote entrepreneurship,” Vilsack said. “These loans and grants will give businesses access to the capital and technical assistance they need to remain competitive in today’s global economy.”

USDA Helps Rural Businesses Create Jobs and Increase Economic Opportunities

  Sept. 29, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded nearly $20 million through 385 grants to help support the start-up or expansion of rural small businesses.

   “These grants will strengthen the economic fabric of our rural small towns and communities by providing capital to small and emerging businesses,” Vilsack said today during a visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

A Rural Partnership for the Future

For rural communities, it’s all about the ongoing challenge of creating and maintaining jobs.  In Seymour, Texas, the city’s Community Development Corporation decided to utilize Rural Development’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant program to stimulate the City’s business sector.  The initial grant funds were used to provide loans to create or expand 4 local businesses. As those loans have been repaid, the funds are now rolling back into the community through a new loan to open a much needed veterinarian clinic in this farm and ranch community.