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Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Support to
Create Jobs, Repair or Build Community Centers, Health
Care Facilities, and Bring Public Safety Vehicles to
Rural Communities
Ten Michigan projects total $322,000
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2011 - Agriculture Secretary Tom
Vilsack today announced investments in 33 states and one
territory that will create jobs and improve the quality
of life in rural communities across the nation.
"These projects not only provide needed
infrastructure in rural communities, they contribute to
the Obama administration's continued efforts to create
quality jobs and improve the nation’s economy," Vilsack
said. "The projects announced today will help strengthen
facilities and amenities in rural towns and small
cities."
The $46.8 million announced today is being funded
through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities
Program. Funding of individual recipients is contingent
upon meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.
USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Program
helps finance essential community facilities for public
use in rural areas. These facilities include child care
centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted-living
facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations,
community centers, public buildings and transportation.
Through this program, USDA ensures that such facilities
are available to all rural residents. These funds are
available to public bodies, non-profit organizations and
federally recognized Indian tribes.
Below is a complete list of Michigan projects
announced today by Secretary Vilsack.
·
Gogebic County – To purchase a new patrol car and
related equipment; $10,000 grant
·
City of Beaverton (Gladwin County) – To purchase a
Department of Public Works vehicle; $34,000 grant
·
City of Beaverton –Patrol vehicle replacement; $20,000
grant
·
Summerfield Township (Clare County) – To purchase and
install a Homeland Security Emergency Siren System;
$14,000 grant
·
Richfield Township (Roscommon County) – To
purchase a new 4WD truck with snow blade for the
Department of Public Safety’s Fire Division; $23,000
grant
·
Clare County – To purchase a patrol car and related
equipment; $15,000 grant
·
Clare County – To purchase a patrol car and related
equipment; $15,000 grant
·
Gladwin County – To purchase a new SUV patrol vehicle
for the Sheriff's Department; $11,000 grant
·
Gladwin County – To purchase a new patrol vehicle for
the Sheriff's Department; $10,000 grant
·
Bay Mills Community College – To make improvements to
the EMT/Paramedic Training Center, and for site
development of the Ag-Science building & Administration
building; $170,000 grant
On September 8, President Obama presented the
American Jobs Act
in an address to Congress. The purpose of the American
Jobs Act is simple: put more people back to work and put
more money in the pockets of working Americans. The
American Jobs Act is specific. It will put people back
to work right now, and it will not add to the deficit.
Through a combination of direct spending, such as
infrastructure investments, and tax relief, such as an
extension of the payroll tax cuts, it will lead to new
American jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 21 direct or indirect jobs are created for
each $1 million invested in infrastructure.
Since taking office, President Obama's Administration
has taken significant steps to improve the lives of
rural Americans and has provided broad support for rural
communities. The Obama Administration has set goals of
modernizing infrastructure by providing broadband access
to 10 million Americans, expanding educational
opportunities for students in rural areas, and providing
affordable health care. In the long term, these
unparalleled rural investments will help ensure that
America's rural communities are repopulating,
self-sustaining and thriving economically.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area,
administers and manages housing, business and community
infrastructure and facility programs through a national
network of state and local offices. Rural Development
has an existing portfolio of more than $155 billion in
loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed
to improve the economic stability of rural communities,
businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve
the quality of life in rural America. More information
about USDA Rural Development can be found at
www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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