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USDA awards $4.5 million for 23 Rural Cooperative Development Centers

Published on 08/18/2008

EPES, Alabama – Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has announced that more than $4.5 million in grants will go to 23 Rural Cooperative Development Centers to improve rural economic conditions throughout 22 states. Schafer announced the multi-million dollar funding investment during remarks at the 41st annual meeting of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund.

"Rural Cooperative Development Centers work closely to mentor entrepreneurs and grow local business with technical advice and research," said Schafer. "This hometown support, close at hand, strengthens jobs and opportunities throughout rural communities."

The 23 nonprofit groups and institutions of higher education selected today may receive grants to finance up to 75 percent of the cost to establish and operate centers for cooperative development.

For example, with a $200,000 grant, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund will fund the Cooperative Development, Training and Research Center in Sumter County, Ala. This grant is expected to create and save more than 400 jobs, including those for 250 family farmers and 100 fishermen.

In addition, two new rural cooperative development centers will be established with the funds announced by Schafer: the Resource Center for Value Added and Alternative Agriculture at North Carolina State University, and the Appalachian Forest Resource Center in Clarke County, Ohio.

USDA Rural Development helps rural residents form cooperative businesses and improve the operations of existing cooperatives. It provides technical assistance, conducts cooperative-related research, and produces informational materials to promote public understanding of cooperatives.

Funding for individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. The following applicants were selected to receive 2008 Rural Cooperative Development grants:

Recipient

State

Grant Amount

Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

AL

$200,000

Winrock International

AR

$199,920

Arizona State University

AZ

$199,467

California Center For Cooperative Development

CA

$200,000

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Educational and Charitable Foundation

CO

$200,000

Western Illinois University

IL

$200,000

Indiana Cooperative Development Center, Inc.

IN

$200,000

Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development

KY

$200,000

Michigan State University

MI

$200,000

Northcountry Cooperative Foundation

MN

$200,000

Mississippi Association of Cooperatives

MS

$200,000

Board of Regents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

NE

$199,961

North Carolina State University

NC

$200,000

North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

ND

$200,000

National Network of Forest Practitioners

OH

$200,000

Ohio State University Research Foundation

OH

$200,000

Keystone Development Center, Inc.

PA

$200,000

South Carolina State University

SC

$153,782

Value-Added Agriculture Development Center

SD

$195,000

University of Texas-Pan American

TX

$198,446

Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation & Rural Sustainability

VA

$200,000

Northwest Cooperative Development Center

WA

$200,000

Cooperative Development Services Fund, Inc.

WI

$200,000

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested more than $90 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .

 
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