FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tim Jones (315) 477-6436

<timothy.jones@ny.usda.gov>

**NEW AREA INCOME LIMITS FOR USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECT AND
GUARANTEED HOME LOAN PROGRAM TAKE EFFECT TODAY**

SYRACUSE, N.Y., March 19, 2008 **--** The U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Development agency announced today that it has established new
area income limits for its direct and guaranteed home loan program in
New York State. The limits are effective immediately.

The 2008 area income limits have increased, or remained steady, in every
eligible county and metropolitan area. A complete list of area income
limits can be found at
<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/common/indiv_intro.htm> or by contacting
a local service center. Service center contact information is provided
at the end of this release.

"Our 2008 area income limits have been designed to help deserving rural
New Yorkers become homeowners," said Patrick H. Brennan, State Director
for USDA Rural Development in New York. "I encourage anyone interested
in this program to contact a local USDA Rural Development Service Center
to find out how we can help you."

USDA Rural Development's direct home loan program helps very-low to
low-income families and individuals buy, build or improve homes in rural
communities. The guaranteed home loan program is designed for low- to
moderate-income families and individuals whose income is too high to
qualify for the direct program. The programs require no down payment and
provide additional costs savings by eliminating private mortgage
insurance (PMI).

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and
improve the quality of life for rural residents. In fiscal year 2007,
USDA Rural Development invested more than \$262 million in New York,
raising its total investment in the state to more than \$1.5 billion
since 2001. Further information on rural programs is available by
contacting the State Office at (315) 477-6400 or by visiting USDA\'s web
site at <http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ny>.

\#

**USDA Rural Development Service Centers in New York**

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Batavia Service Center**        | **Bath Service Center**           |
|                                   |                                   |
| 29 Liberty Street, Suite 2        | 415 W. Morris Street              |
|                                   |                                   |
| Batavia, NY 14020                 | Bath, NY 14810-1038               |
|                                   |                                   |
| \(585\) 343-9167, ext. 2200       | \(607\) 776-7398, ext. 4          |
|                                   |                                   |
| Counties served: Niagara,         | Counties served: Schuyler,        |
| Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Erie   | Chemung, Steuben, Allegany,       |
|                                   | Cattaraugus, Chautauqua           |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Canandaigua Service Center**    | **Canton Service Center**         |
|                                   |                                   |
| 3037 County Road 10               | 1942 Old Dekalb Road              |
|                                   |                                   |
| Canandaigua, NY 14424             | Canton, NY 13617                  |
|                                   |                                   |
| \(585\) 394-0525, ext. 4          | \(315\) 386-2401, ext. 4          |
|                                   |                                   |
| Counties served: Wayne, Seneca,   | Counties served: St. Lawrence,    |
| Ontario, Yates, Livingston,       | Franklin, Clinton                 |
| Monroe                            |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Greenwich Service Center**      | **Johnstown Service Center**      |
|                                   |                                   |
| 2530 State Route 40               | 113 Hales Mills Road              |
|                                   |                                   |
| Greenwich, NY 12834               | Johnstown, NY 12095               |
|                                   |                                   |
| \(518\) 692-9940, ext. 4          | \(518\) 762-0077, ext. 4          |
|                                   |                                   |
| Counties served: Rensselaer,      | Counties served: Fulton,          |
| Saratoga, Washington, Warren,     | Montgomery, Schenectady, Albany,  |
| Hamilton, Essex                   | Schoharie, Otsego, Delaware,      |
|                                   | Greene                            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **LaFayette Service Center**      | **Marcy Service Center**          |
|                                   |                                   |
| 2571 US Route 11, Ste 4           | 9025 River Road                   |
|                                   |                                   |
| LaFayette, NY 13084               | Marcy, NY 13403                   |
|                                   |                                   |
| \(315\) 677-3552, ext. 4          | \(315\) 736-3316, ext. 4          |
|                                   |                                   |
| Counties served: Cayuga,          | Counties served: Oneida,          |
| Onondaga, Tompkins, Cortland,     | Herkimer, Madison                 |
| Chenango, Tioga, Broome           |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Middletown Service Center**     | **Watertown Service Center**      |
|                                   |                                   |
| 225 Dolson Ave, Ste 104, 1^st^    | P.O. Box 838                      |
| Floor                             |                                   |
|                                   | 21168 NYS Route 232               |
| Middletown, NY 10940              |                                   |
|                                   | Watertown, NY 13601               |
| \(845\) 343-1872, ext. 4          |                                   |
|                                   | \(315\) 782-7289, ext. 4          |
| Counties served: Sullivan,        |                                   |
| Ulster, Columbia, Orange,         | Counties served: Jefferson,       |
| Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester ,   | Lewis, Oswego                     |
| Rockland, Suffolk                 |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+