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Release No. 0317.03

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623

Tim McNeilly (202) 690-0498

USDA ANNOUNCES \$1.5 MILLION IN COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

WITH 1890 INSTITUTIONS

 

LORMAN, Miss., Sept. 15, 2003--- Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman
today announced the selection of eleven 1890s Land Grant Institutions,
Colleges and Universities to receive nearly \$1.5 million in business
development assistance. These funds will provide outreach and technical
assistance in developing new businesses and employment opportunities in
underserved rural communities.

 

"The Bush Administration is firmly committed to fostering new economic
growth and expanding business opportunities in underserved rural
communities," said Veneman. "Today's announcement broadens the resources
provided through USDA to 1890 institutions for supporting local economic
development efforts."

 

Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr said the
program is an important part of USDA efforts to help local communities
during a town hall meeting here at Alcorn State University.

"These funds will continue the strong partnership between USDA and these
1890 institutions like Alcorn State," Dorr said.

 

> **Tuskegee University** in Tuskegee, Ala. selected to receive
> \$150,000 for strengthening entrepreneurial and business development
> activities in the Alabama Black Belt Counties and other targeted
> communities of Sumter/Greene, Uniontown in Perry County, Lowndes,
> Macon, and Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama.

## University of Maryland-Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md. selected to receive \$100,000 to provide e-commerce and e-business information and technology for micro-businesses, cooperatives, micro-business associations and public bodies along the eastern shore of Maryland.

# **Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La.** selected to receive \$139,275 to strengthen its outreach program in areas of job creation and retention opportunities. The four communities and parishes in the state of Louisiana selected are: East Feliciana, Iberville, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa.

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**University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff** in Pine Bluff, Ark. selected to
receive

> \$150,000 intended to provide technical assistance for economic
> development, provide financial assistance to secure funding for
> businesses, and expand outreach efforts through the Institute for
> Rural Economic Development. Counties served: Ashley, Bradley, Chicot,
> Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Jefferson, Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke,
> Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis, and Woodruff.
>
> **Fort Valley State University** in Fort Valley, Ga. selected to
> receive \$125,000 to provide individuals/groups with information,
> technical assistance and financial support for business startup or
> expansion, job creation, and program development designed to retain
> jobs. Counties served include: Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Peach, Crawford,
> and Taylor.
>
> **Delaware State University** in Dover, Del. selected to receive
> \$150,000 to continue the Entrepreneurship Center's activities to
> impact business economic development by saving/creating jobs and to
> encourage business startups. The promotion of USDA Rural Development
> programs in targeted rural communities will be addressed.
>
> **Prairie View A&M University** in Prairie View, Texas selected to
> receive \$135,000 to use for outreach, education and technical
> assistance in community and business development, youth entrepreneur
> education, business information system network and other web sites,
> and public/clientele awareness of Rural Development programs in 13
> counties.
>
> **Alcorn State University** in Alcorn, Miss. selected to receive
> \$140,000 for technical assistance to limited resource individuals in
> becoming successful entrepreneurs and provides training for local
> community leaders/elected officials for improvement in economic and
> community development. Additionally, the Center for Rural Life and
> Economic Development will be expanded which has service centers in
> Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilkinson counties.
>
> **Langston University** in Langston, Okla. selected to receive
> \$149,600 for strengthening minority-owned enterprises in rural
> communities, developing youth entrepreneurships, assisting and
> supporting community development and infrastructure improvements
> activities. Counties served include: Caddo, Carter, Garvin, Logan,
> McCurtain, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and
> Seminole.
>
> **West Virginia State College** in Institute, W.Va. has been selected
> to receive \$136,125 to support business startup and technical
> assistance in 11-targeted counties. The project will focus on
> developing new companies, business planning for new enterprises,
> franchise startup, counseling, business expansion studies, marketing
> analysis, cash flow management and various seminars and workshops for
> small businesses.

**South Carolina State University** in Orangeburg, S.C. selected to
receive

> \$125,000 to provide business support services in 10 targeted
> counties.
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>
> Also assist prospective entrepreneurs in creating new businesses, and
> providing small business management training to develop local youth
> into future entrepreneurs will be made available.

   

USDA Rural Development\'s mission is to deliver programs in a way that
will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of
life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development
provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in
homeownership, business development, and critical community and
technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is
available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting
USDA\'s web site at
[**http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/**](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/). 

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