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***United States Department of Agriculture -- Rural Development***

***World Wide Web: <http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca>***

***Paul Venosdel, State Director***

Oct. 20, 2005 Contact: Bob Krauter

For Immediate Release Office: (530) 792-5803

Release No. 08.07 Cell: (916) 798-9295

**USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS ECONOMIC IMPACT GRANTS**

*Fresno County tops list of \$675,778 in economic grants to fight fire,
crime*

Davis, Calif., - USDA Rural Development in California has awarded 17
Economic Impact Initiative (EII) grants totaling \$675,778 to improve
safety, crime prevention, healthcare and educational resources in rural
communities, including several in Fresno County. USDA Rural Development
State Director Paul Venosdel announced the grants, which deliver
assistance to rural areas for healthcare, first-responder needs and
educational needs.

"We're pleased to make these grants to a number of rural communities
across the state in an effort by USDA Rural Development to improve the
quality of life of Californians," said Venosdel. "These grants will lead
to safer neighborhoods by giving police and fire departments new tools
to do their jobs better. The fact that every one of our 17 grant
applications was approved says a lot about the close coordination
between local, state and federal partners to bring these funds to
California."

Nine EII grants are awarded to Fresno County rural communities. The City
of Firebaugh received four grants totaling \$149,900. The grants will be
used to purchase a police car, a thermal imaging camera to assist
firefighters and equipment for a community center. Funds will also be
used to purchase a computer network infrastructure for the Las Deltas
Unified School District.

The Fresno County Fire Protection District received two grants totaling
\$37,400 to deliver greater service to residents of Del Rey, Mendota and
Parlier. Based in Sanger, the fire district operates 17 stations, which
serve residents in several rural communities in Fresno County.

Venosdel noted the help of Vicki Bradshaw, secretary of the California
Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and her staff in data gathering
to help qualify rural communities for the grants. Grants were awarded to
states on the basis on communities that had more than 19-1/2 percent
unemployment.

"Vicki Bradshaw and her staff were especially helpful in providing the
latest data on unemployment in rural communities," said Venosdel. "This
shows that state and federal officials are closely working together on
behalf of rural residents."

The City of San Joaquin in Fresno County received three grants totaling
\$60,000 to purchase a police car, equipment for a computer lab and a
van to transport inmate work crews.

"An important mission for USDA Rural Development's Community Programs is
support of President Bush's commitment to strengthen first-responder
needs in rural communities. These funds support local law enforcement
agencies and fire districts, which face considerable challenges in
covering large geographic areas," said Venosdel. "Investment of these
dollars goes a long way to strengthen the ability of rural communities
to respond to local emergencies."

-more-

Page 2 -- EII Grants Awarded

The Tulare County Fire Department also received a \$37,150 grant to
remodel fire stations in Richgrove, Terra Bella, Cutler, Earlimart and
Ivanhoe. The Madera County Fire Department received a \$40,000 grant to
purchase a fire engine for the community of Parksdale.

The City of Live Oak, in Sutter County, received two grants totaling
\$94,628, to purchase three police cars and thermal imaging equipment.

A grant of \$62,000 was awarded to the Avenal Community Health Center to
purchase and install a new patient information system. A USDA Rural
Development EII grant of \$84,700 was awarded to the City of McFarland
to purchase computers and equipment for a community computer learning
center.

Two USDA Rural Development EII grants were awarded to Imperial County. A
\$50,000 grant, awarded to the Imperial County Probation Department,
will help purchase radio and dispatch equipment. A \$60,000 grant,
awarded to the City of Westmorland, will be used to renovate a youth
center.

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
has invested over \$54 billion since the beginning of the Bush
Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and
foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical
community and technology infrastructure. As a result, over 1 million
jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further
information on rural programs is available at one of California's 25
local USDA Rural Development offices or by visiting
<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca>.

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**"Committed to the future of rural communities"**

**United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development**

**430 G Street, Agency 4169, Davis, CA 95616-4169**

**Telephone (530) 792-5803/Fax (530) 792-5841**

**http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca/**