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**STATE DIRECTOR\'S MESSAGE: A new logo, a new tag line -- an enhanced
image. Why the change? Because rural communities are the lifeblood of
the American dream and the American economy. USDA Rural Development has
the programs to help those dreams come true, to help rural economies
flourish. The unexpected challenge when an agency has so much to offer
is the task of reaching all of those who can use our products. We have
stepped up to that challenge. On February 25, 2004, Department of
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced a new initiative to better
communicate Rural Development's mission and goals. The new logo depicts
a typical rural landscape, complete with a water tower and mix of
buildings, all nestled in a rolling green hillside. The new tagline,
*Committed to the Future of Rural Communities*, will help the agency
reinforce our mission: Increasing Economic Opportunity and Improving the
Quality of Life in Rural America. Last year, Rural Development invested
almost \$113 million in Vermont and New Hampshire. Emphasizing customer
service and enhancing our efforts to be recognized as the ‛go to' agency
for economic and technical resources, we hope to exceed last year's
investment! Happy Spring!**

> Sincerely,
>
> Jolinda H. LaClair

######## FEATURE PROGRAMS

######## ATTENTION LENDERS!

######## ATTENTION COMMUNITY LENDERS!

Community Facility Guaranteed Loans are an excellent way for you, as a
lender, to finance and facilitate essential community facilities such as
health care clinics, police and fire stations, schools and child care
centers. Lenders: USDA RD guarantees 90% of your loan and you have an
added opportunity to meet your Community Reinvestment Act requirements.

Communities and non-profits: A Rural Development guarantee increases
your chances of obtaining the financing you need to provide services to
your community members.

As part of President Bush's faith-based and community initiative, and to
provide more information about the Community\
Facility Guaranteed Program to both lenders and community organizations,
Rural Development will hold several educational workshops throughout
Vermont and New Hampshire. To get information on locations and dates of
the workshops, please contact Bill Konrad at 603-223-6045 or
william.konrad@nh.usda.gov.

######## FIRST RESPONDER INITIATIVE

Rural Development salutes the job performed by the nation's emergency
response providers. We are also aware that urban residents may have to
be served by rural First Responder's services during times of a national
crisis. To ensure that the resources to respond to future emergencies in
America's communities are readily available, Rural Development has made
First Responders projects a top priority for funds available through the
**Community Facility and Economic Impact Initiative** **Grants**
National Office reserves. In cases of emergency conditions caused by
economic problems or natural disasters, grants will receive 30
additional Administrator points and loans will receive 15 additional
Administrator points.

The following types of projects will be emphasized: health care
facilities, communication centers, Civil
![](media/image5.png){width="1.8770833333333334in"
height="1.4291666666666667in"}Defense buildings, fire/police/rescue
vehicles, equipment and buildings, early storm warning systems, food
preparation distribution centers, animal shelters, and education
facilities for response provider training.

######## AVAILABLE FUNDING

**Community Facility Economic Initiative Grant Fund**

In addition to our regular grant allocation, the Community Facility
Economic Initiative Grant program is funded again this year. \$23.7
million will be available for the nation. Applications must be received
by June 20^th^. In our experience, applications from the lowest income,
most rural communities, compete particularly well for this funding. This
includes most communities in the Northeast Kingdom and eastern Franklin
County in Vermont, as well as select communities across Vermont and New
Hampshire. Also, applications of \$50,000 or less tend to be more
competitive.

If you have a building improvement or equipment need for your essential
community facility, please contact our Community Facility Specialists at
the following locations:

For Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange and Washington
Counties in VT, contact Naomi Hatch at 802-828-6032 or
<naomi.hatch@vt.usda.gov>.

For Caledonia, Orleans, and Essex Counties in VT, contact Mark Koprowski
at 603-747-2777 or <mark.koprowski@nh.usda.gov>.

For Addison, Bennington, Rutland, Windsor and Windham Counties, contact
Andrea Ansevin-Allen at 603-756-3230 or
[andrea.ansevin-allen@nh.usda.gov](mailto:andrea.ansevin@nh.usda.gov).

For all New Hampshire counties, contact Scott Johnson at 603-223-6045 or
<scott.johnson@nh.usda.gov> or Gregg MacPherson at 603-223-6045 or
<gregg.macpherson@nh.usda.gov>

**Farm bill clean energy funds available**

**Deadline for submitting applications is July 19.**

Montpelier, VT: USDA Rural Development will make available \$22.8
million in grants to jump start renewable energy and energy efficiency
projects at farms, ranches and rural small businesses. Funds may be used
to purchase renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency
improvements. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and the grant
request must not exceed 25% of the total eligible project costs. These
funds are being made available through Section 9006, Renewable Energy
and Energy Efficiency Assistance program, of the 2002 farm bill. The
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) inviting applications, was published
in the May 5, 2004 Federal Register. You can read the NOFA online at
[http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/2004/energy050504.pdf](http://www.rurdev.usda.ov/rd/nofas/2004/energy050504.pdf).
Additional information is available at the website for the USDA Farm
Bill Section 9006 at www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill.

\"This year\'s program includes several changes in response to customer
feedback,\" said USDA Rural Development State Director Jolinda LaClair.
\"We welcome these improvements and look forward to receiving some very
competitive applications."

**FY 2004 Program** **Highlights Include**:

\*Renewable Energy grant maximum is \$500,000

\*Energy Efficiency grant maximum is \$250,000

\*Grant request minimum is \$2,500

\*75% non-federal match is required

\*3^rd^ party in-kind contributions can be counted toward the 75% match,
limited to 10% of the 75% match requirement

\*A project-specific feasibility study is required for renewable energy
*grant requests* over \$50,000

\*A professional energy audit is required for energy efficiency
*projects costs* exceeding \$50,000

\*Professional engineering services will be required for *project costs*
exceeding \$50,000

\*Technology-specific guidance available for technical requirements,
including energy efficiency

\*Applicants must own the project and control the operation and
maintenance of the project

\*Special consideration is given to smaller agricultural producers with
less than \$1 million in gross receipts in the preceding year.

**Deadline:** The deadline for submitting applications for this year\'s
funding cycle is **July 19, 2004**. Since there are a large number of
application requirements, interested applicants are urged to review
program details and begin work on their applications soon.

For Vermont and New Hampshire applicants, an original and one copy of
the completed application must be delivered to the USDA Rural
Development office at 3^rd^ Floor, City Center, 89 Main Street,
Montpelier, VT 05602 by the deadline of July 19, 2004. Only completed
applications will be accepted. Incomplete, ineligible, or late
applications will not compete for funding.

For more information, or if you intend to apply, please contact Lyn
Millhiser, USDA Rural Development Business and Cooperative Programs
Specialist at 802-828-6069 or <lyn.millhiser@vt.usda.gov>.

**Value-Added PRODUCER GRANT PROGRAM**

USDA Rural Development is expected to announce the availability of
funding for the Value-Added Producer\'s Grant Program in early June. 
Competitive grant funds will be available to help independent
agricultural producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher
cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures
to enter into value-added activities that will increase revenue to
producers.  Funds may be used for planning activities to establish a
viable value-added marketing opportunity for an agricultural product, or
working capital activities to operate a value-added business venture
that will allow producers to better compete in domestic and
international markets. 

In the last funding cycle, Vermont applicants received three grants
totaling \$165,738. Northeast Organic Farming Association in Richmond
received a grant for planning activities to create juice products from
local fruits, vegetables and herbs. Thistle Hill Farm in North Pomfret
will conduct feasibility, business operation and market planning
activities for the development of Tarentaise Cheese from dairy milk. The
third grant was awarded to AP-GARM SC, LLC from Burlington to evaluate
the revenue potential from the sale of renewable energy green tags and
greenhouse gas emission reduction credits, independent from the sale of
the energy/electricity produced by the renewable energy project.

Complete program information will be available when the Final Rule is
published in the Federal Register.  For more information please contact
Lyn Millhiser, Business and Cooperative Programs Specialist, at
802-828-6069 or <lyn.millhiser@vt.usda.gov>

**Home Ownership Programs**

In March 2004 there was an **increase in loan and income limits** for
our **Direct Loan program**. Maximum purchase prices range from
\$160,100 to \$290,100. In Vermont, the income eligibility for a family
of four ranges from \$44,550 to \$57,500 depending on the county or
area. In New Hampshire the income range for a family is \$48,250 to
\$66,150. Funds for the Direct program are plentiful this year and we do
not anticipate any shortages before the end of our fiscal year,
September 30, 2004.

In the **Single Family Guarantee** program, the income eligibility
standards are generally 50% higher than the Direct programs. There are
no purchase price limits under this program, and all loans are
originated by approved lenders. The agency has increased the guarantee
loan fee from 1.5% to 1.75% effective June 1, 2004 to increase the
availability of funding under this program. All lenders with existing
reservations are encouraged to process loans for approval as soon as
possible to avoid the rate increase.

If you would like more information about any of our programs, contact
Housing Program Director, Robert McDonald at 802-828-6010,
<robert.mcdonald@vt.usda.gov> or any of our local representatives.

**EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS - 2004**

**SWANZEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE**

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="3.575in" height="2.325in"}At a ground
breaking celebrating Earth Day, the North Swanzey Water and Fire
Precinct received a \$607,300 loan and a \$170,000 grant to replace
asbestos cement water pipes in the area around Wilson Pond. The Town of
Swanzey received a \$1,863,950 loan and a \$1,833,950 grant to bring
municipal sewer to 243 homes in the same area.

Pictured left to right: Robert Beuregard, Chairman of the North Swanzey
Water and Fire Precinct, Bill Konrad, Community Programs Director for
USDA Rural Development and Glenn Page, Sewer Commissioner for the Town
of Swanzey.

**DUXBURY, VT**

Last year, the Association of Vermont Recyclers received a \$75,000 SWMG
from RD.  They used the grant to establish and work with High School
Environmental Clubs across VT. 

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="3.325in" height="2.36875in"}The
Environmental Club of Harwood High School, in Duxbury, VT, was extremely
active and, as a result, was rewarded with a presentation by the
\"Junkman" to celebrate Earth Day.  Using old brake drums, a window
screen, bottles, signs, clay pots, body parts and rocks, the Junkman, a
professional percussionist, practices his art using recycled goods to
connect music to our earth.  Thirty-six Harwood students joined him
using plastic, wood and metal recyclables to \"jam\".  This Earth Day
celebration made an impact.

**STAFF NEWS**

**WELCOME**

While we were sad to bid farewell to two of our very dedicated staff
upon their retirement, Single Family Housing Specialists Nancy Domina
from our Conway and Berlin, NH offices and James Clary of our Concord,
NH office, we are pleased to welcome on board five new additions to our
team.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="1.575in"
height="1.3840277777777779in"}**Paul Hill** joined our Montpelier, VT
office as our new Guaranteed Rural Housing Specialist for Vermont. Hill
will be working with local lenders, to provide mortgage loan guarantees.
Prior to joining Rural Development, Hill was the Director of the Housing
and Community Facility Program for the Vermont Community Loan Fund in
Montpelier. Hill studied Business at Towson State University in Maryland
and brings 25 years of banking experience to his position with RD. You
can reach Paul at 802-828-6016 or <paul.hill@vt.usda.gov>

![](media/image9.jpeg){width="1.375in"
height="1.3833333333333333in"}**Claire Bailey** is the new Human
Resource Manager in the State Office in Montpelier, VT. Claire is a
native Vermonter and used to work for the Vermont Department of
Employment and Training as the Chief Financial Officer. Most recently
she was a Workforce Development Specialist for the U.S. Department of
Labor, in Boston, MA. Contact Claire at Rural Development 802-828-6041
or <claire.bailey@vt.usda.gov>

![](media/image10.jpeg){width="1.075in" height="1.2625in"}**Sue Hayes**
accepted the position of Area Director in the Montpelier Office, where
she will oversee all program areas and staff in the Montpelier, St.
Albans, Brattleboro and Rutland Offices. Most recently, Sue was the
Integrated Support Manager at the Indian Head Naval Station in Maryland.
She holds a degree in Engineering from Clarkson University and is a
native of St. Johnsbury, VT. Sue can be reached at 802-828-6053 or
<susan.hayes@vt.usda.gov>.

![](media/image11.jpeg){width="1.7520833333333334in"
height="1.3354166666666667in"}**Angela Francesco**, the new Technician
in the Conway, NH office, previously worked in Washington, DC at the
United States Holocaust Museum. When you call the Conway office, it is
likely that it will be Angi you will speak to first and Angi who will
answer your questions and refer you to other appropriate staff. Angela
can be reached at 603-447-3318 or <angela.francesco@nh.usda.gov>

![](media/image12.jpeg){width="1.7965277777777777in"
height="1.3777777777777778in"}**Daphne Feeney** has joined our Concord,
NH team as a Housing Specialist. Prior to joining the RD staff in
Concord, Feeney was the Senior Single Family Housing Guaranteed
Specialist for USDA Rural Development in Scarborough, ME. She brings
twenty years of experience with Rural Development and five years as an
employee at the Portsmouth, NH Naval Shipyard to her new position. Ms.
Feeney will be working with families who want to purchase a home in
Belknap, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Rockingham Counties. You can
contact Daphne at 603-223-6040 or <daphne.feeney@nh.usda.gov>

**CONGRATULATIONS**

Congratulations to four of our Vermont employees who, nominated by their
co-workers, received 2004 Distinguished Government Service Awards from
the Vermont Federal Executive Association. Rhonda Shippee, Director of
Business and Cooperative Programs, received a Supervisor/Manager Award.
Sharon Lafley, Rural Housing Technician and Donna Montgomery, Business
Technician, each received Administrative /Administrative Support Awards
and Ed Plourde, Computer Specialist, received a Technical Trades Award.

**CORPORATE CHALLENGE**

Nine RD employees participated in this year's Corporate Challenge, held
annually to benefit the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness. Two
teams of runners included Paul Hill, Jolinda LaClair, Naomi Hatch,
Rhonda Shippee, Robert McDonald, and Jonathan Harries. The team of
walkers included Heidi Setien, Sherri Austin and Paula Higgins.

**ANNUAL REPORT**

Our Fiscal Year 2003 Annual Report is almost finished. We think you will
find the report concise and informative. To receive a copy of the
report, please contact Carolyn Lawrence at 802-828-6002 or
<carolyn.lawrence@vt.usda.gov>

**LEARN ABOUT RURAL DEVELOPMENT**

**We have developed several new outreach tools to share with you and
your staff.**

**1) A power point presentation: an overview of RD's loan, grant and
technical assistance programs.**

**2) A 10 minute CD movie: the story that shows how RD's various
programs worked to improve the quality of life for residents of two
communities; one in VT and one in NH.**

**3) A Program Guide: general information about all of RD's programs in
one publication.**

**4) County By County Breakdown: depicts all of RD's loan and grant
activities in VT and NH for the last three years, by town.**

**Our staff is always available to meet with your employees to discuss
RD's many programs. To arrange a presentation for your staff or to
receive our outreach material, please contact Carolyn Lawrence at
802-828-6002 or <carolyn.lawrence@vt.usda.gov>**

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