Secretary of Agriculture

Our country stands united as we report on a unique and

challenging year for the Department of Agriculture. In

the wake of the tragedies of September 11th , we have

worked to ensure the protection of our food supply,

employees, customers, facilities and programs. As

President Bush has said, “We will not waver; we will

not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail. Peace

and freedom will prevail.”

During this past year, we faced many challenges, but many opportunities as well. As our new

Administration has taken hold, USDA’s Rural Development undertook many efforts to assist and

strengthen our rural communities. These efforts included: 950 communities approved for $1.4

billion in loan and grant funds to establish or improve drinking water or waste disposal systems for

more than a million rural residents; 43,000 families received loans to purchase a home, allowing

them to realize their dream of owning their own home and contributing to an all time high in our

nation’s homeownership rate; and nearly $15 million in grant funds were provided to distance

learning projects encompassing over 590 educational institutions, and $11.5 million for 41

telemedicine projects involving nearly 236 medical facilities, bringing greater access for rural

residents to much needed educational and medical services. 

Over the years, we have made great strides to better serve our customers. In September, we unveiled

a new report, “Food and Agricultural Policy: Taking Stock for the New Century.” This study

focuses on the changing role of agriculture and rural development and how we can work together to

provide new opportunities and greater economic growth for this nation’s farmers, ranchers and rural

communities. I encourage you to review this report from USDA’s website at www.usda.gov.

Residents in Pennsylvania and from all across this nation are what truly make America great. We

can continue to build on our successes in strengthening our rural communities. And, our Rural

Development employees stand ready to assist in any way they can.

Ann M. Veneman
A Message from the Pennsylvania State Director,

Byron E. Ross

One of the greatest challenges faced by rural communities

today is the ability to preserve the qualities of rural life while

simultaneously creating a viable economic strategy that will allow

them to compete effectively in the national and global economies.

One of the most striking changes is that many of today's farmers,

or their spouses, must now seek outside employment to

supplement their farm income. Agriculture has given way to

manufacturing services or other non-farming activities, and is no

longer the primary foundation of rural communities. Recognizing

this dramatic shift in our rural economy, Rural Development is

working with local leaders to help stabilize and improve the

overall economic conditions of rural Pennsylvania.

Developing sustainable communities in rural America has

been, and continues to be, one of our greatest challenges at

USDA. In 2001, Pennsylvania's USDA Rural Development

employees continued to take the lead in developing new ways in

which to provide much needed services to their rural customers.

We are finding new ways to bring fresh ideas and resources to

local communities and creating an environment which allows

local communities to make a difference in the lives of their

residents.

By joining together in partnership with rural communities,

for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, as well as other state

and federal agencies, we have been able to substantially improve

life in rural America. The legacy of this effort is everywhere on

the rural landscape: improved rural housing, community facilities,

businesses and cooperatives, and utility services.

We should all be proud of what has been accomplished in

rural Pennsylvania and throughout this country. The

accomplishments outlined in this annual report, I believe, are a

reflection of USDA’s commitment to the residents of rural

Pennsylvania.

Contents

Rural Housing Service..........2

Community Facilities

Multi-Family Housing 

Rural Business Service...........6

Community &Economic 

 Development

Rural Housing Service..........11

Single-Family Housing

Environmental Issues............15

Rural Utilities Service...........16

Civil Rights........................19

Rural Development 

Contacts.............................20
Community Facilities (CF)

The Community Facilities (CF) program provides loans, grants, and loan guarantees to public bodies, not-forprofits, and Indian tribes for health care, public safety, public improvements, community support, educational

services, and telecommunications. In FY 2001, Rural Development's CF programs assisted over 41,000 rural

Pennsylvania residents in several communities by providing the funding needed for projects like road

equipment, emergency shelter, and sewer authority assistance. CF funds were also used to preserve a

historical structure in Luzerne County and to build a community center in Nuangola Grove, Pennsylvania.

We are proud of our recent accomplishments. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2000, PA Rural Development received the

Administrator's Bronze Award (in part) for being one of the top states in the nation for providing CF direct

and guaranteed funding, the state with the largest increase in CF loans in one year, and the state with the most

improved CF program overall. In FY 2001, we continued to excel and received another award from the

National Office as a result of their review of our CF programs and the increasing volume of CF assistance

delivered to Pennsylvania.

FY 2001 - Community Facility Funding

County Project Name Loan Amount Grant Amount

Beaver HAP Senior Care, Inc. *$ 3,000,000

Beaver HAP Senior Care, Inc. $ 1,100,000

Carbon Nesquehoning Hose Company #1 $ 133,000 $ 100,000

Clarion Mill Creek Township $ 55,000 $ 23,000

Crawford Crawford Co. Coalition on Housing Needs $ 111,000 $ 100,000

Delaware Millbourne Fire Company $ 45,000 $ 55,000

Elk Jay Township Volunteer Fire Company $ 75,000 $ 95,000

Indiana Central Indiana Joint Sanitary Authority $ 200,000

Jefferson WRC PA Memorial Home *$ 4,000,000

Jefferson WRC PA Memorial Home $ 4,000,000

Lawrence South Central Alpha Housing & Health Care $ 3,700,000

Luzerne Bear Creek Historical Society *$ 310,000

Luzerne Courtdale Volunteer Hose Company $ 42,500 $ 87,500

Luzerne Nuangola Grove Association, Inc. $ 100,000

Schuylkill Altamont Fire Company $ 563,490 $ 100,000

Schuylkill Summit Station Fire Company #1 $ 750,000

Total Obligated $18,184,990 $ 560,500

*Indicates a guaranteed loan.

Assisting our Rural Firefighters

Over $2 million in CF loans and grants were

provided to six fire companies in five Pennsylvania

counties during fiscal year 2001. The funds were

used for a variety of purposes including, three fire

trucks, construction of two new fire stations and

improvements to one existing station.

"I am proud of our continued commitment to assist

rural Pennsylvania communities in obtaining emergency and fire equipment and buildings needed to provide

protection for thousands of residents," said State Director Ross.
HAP is currently under construction

and expected to open in 2002

Community Facilities (CF)

Laurelbrooke Landing

Assisted Living/Personal Care Facility

WRC Community and Health Services is a not-for-profit organization founded over 100 years ago by the

Women's Relief Corps (WRC) in Brookville, PA. This cooperation originally provided a haven for Civil War

veterans and widows. The first facility, Pennsylvania Memorial Home, established WRC’s tradition of

providing high quality health care to elderly individuals.

Since that time, WRC has grown to become a multi-facility provider of housing and support services for the

elderly in several communities in north-central Pennsylvania. These services include nursing care, personal

care, subsidized independent living, home care, and community outreach services.

Two of the WRC facilities, a 108-bed skilled nursing facility and a 27-bed personal care facility, were aging

and in need of major renovations. An architectural evaluation determined that constructing a new facility

would be more desirable and cost effective than renovating the existing sites. WRC located a 30-acre site

adjacent to the Brookville Hospital and less than a mile from their current sites. 

Rural Development provided $4 million in direct loans and a $4 million loan guarantee, which were

combined with $4 million of WRC’s funds to purchase the site and construct the new buildings. The new

facility, named Laurelbrooke Landing, will include 90 beds of skilled nursing care and a 50-bed personal care

facility, which includes 20 dementia units. They will also include space for related administrative and support

services. Construction was started in the summer of 2001 and is proceeding rapidly. Rural Development is

pleased to provide funding assistance to enhance elderly care by this outstanding and historic organization.

HAP Senior Care, Inc.

Assisted Living Facility

HAP stands for Help-A-Person and that is what they do. For more

than 13 years, HAP Enterprises, Inc. and their affiliates have been the

largest provider of mental health/mental retardation services in Beaver

County. They have provided educational classes, day care, and

numerous other services to people suffering with mental disabilities.

In order to further its mission, HAP decided to build a 77-unit (97-bed)

personal care facility in Brighton Township, Beaver County. The building will contain five wings with 15

suites, 25 private personal care units, 20 semi-private personal care units and 17 units of adult day care. Rural

Development provided a $1.1 million direct loan and a $3 million loan guarantee, which were combined with

$1.8 million in tax-free funding and the applicant’s contribution to build this new facility.
Multi-Family Housing (MFH)

Four Multi-Family Housing loans were obligated in FY 2001, all for improvements to existing apartment

complexes. "With the help of Rural Development's Multi-Family Housing programs, housing developers are

able to build quality and affordable rental units for our low-income, elderly, and disabled rural residents," said

State Director Ross, " and, the Rental Assistance Program assures that qualified applicants pay no more than

30% of their income for housing."

FY 2001 Section 515 Loans

County Project Name Loan Amount

Adams Oxford Manor $ 315,000

Blair Showalter Apartments $ 656,500

Mercer Brandy Springs Apartments $ 142,000

Somerset Rockwood Gardens $ 81,690

Total Obligated $1,195,190

Three Rural Development funded MFH complexes opened this fiscal year:

Farm Labor Housing

Rural Development also funded a $125,000 loan and a

$893,507 grant for the construction of 13 units of

housing for migrant farm workers in Aspers, Adams

County, Pennsylvania. This housing is desperately

needed to replace severely substandard housing that is

currently used by these farm workers. This housing

should provide decent, safe and sanitary housing for up

to 52 farm workers at a time and will be used primarily

during the summer fruit-growing season.

Housing Preservation Grants

Two Housing Preservation Grants were obligated in

Pennsylvania in Fiscal Year 2001, both for $121,670.

These grants were made to the Redevelopment

Authority of Fayette County and the Redevelopment

Authority of Wayne County. The grants will be

combined with other funds to operate programs that

provide low-cost loans or grants to very-low income

rural homeowners to make essential repairs to their

homes.

Pleasant Valley Estates - Mount Carmel, PA - A

16-unit elderly/handicapped complex in

 Columbia County.

Mansfield Court - Mansfield, PA - A

24-unit elderly/handicapped complex in

Tioga County.

Philipsburg Place - Philipsburg, PA - A

16-unit family complex in Centre County.
Lehigh Coal's state-of-the-art hydrolic

excavator at the Springdale mine. This

machine uses a 45-yard bucket and can

load over 100 tons with each bite. Here,

it is loading the R260 truck, the largest

truck in the Lehigh Coal fleet.

Rural Business - Cooperative Service (RBS)

Rural businesses were major beneficiaries of USDA, Rural Development spending in Pennsylvania last fiscal

year. Rural Development provided more than $32 million in loans and grants to help start or expand 1,247

businesses last year. These businesses created or saved over 6,500 rural jobs -- many of them in areas where

unemployment rates are higher than the national average. In addition to creating or preserving quality jobs,

our RBS programs promote a clean rural environment.

Our RBS staff works closely with private sector lenders and community-based organizations to provide

financial assistance and business planning. In fact, the RBS financial resources are frequently leveraged with

funds from other public and private credit source lenders to meet business and credit needs in underserved

areas. Last fiscal year, Rural Development's business programs provided incentive for private credit source

lenders to invest more than $29 million in business opportunities to Pennsylvania's rural communities. 

Business and Industry Loans and Loan Guarantees 

In September 2001, Rural Development approved a $9 million

business loan for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company located in

Pottsville. The loan provided funds needed to reopen portions of the

mine, and allow the return of 230 employees whom had been laid off

since January 2001. The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company is

engaged in the mining, processing, and sale of anthracite coal.

Operations are located in northeast Pennsylvania (Schuylkill and

Carbon Counties) where raw coal is extracted by open pit mining

methods. Shipments are made by rail and trucked to customers located

within the United States and by ship or barge to foreign customers.

In FY 2001, Rural Development provided $19,900,000 to eight projects in loan note guarantees for Business

and Industry (B&I) loans in rural Pennsylvania. These eight projects were submitted by six different lenders,

four of them being new participants in our Guaranteed B&I program. The projects served a variety of

industries including electronics, communication and multimedia distribution, trucking and transportation,

agricultural processing and environmental recycling. 

Specialty Lending and Grant Programs 

There are several Rural Development funded programs designed to assist in the fostering of economic

development in rural areas. 

Fifteen Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG), totaling more than $1,361,000, were granted during fiscal

year 2001. For every dollar of USDA funds, there were $3.34 of private funds leveraged into these RBEG

projects. One RBEG will benefit small and emerging businesses in the Meadville downtown area adjacent to

a market. It is expected that this market opportunity will benefit women-owned businesses and small farmers.

Another RBEG was made to the Pottsville Area Development Corporation (PADCO). The grant will be used

at the technology center to equip twenty office/lab/production suites with computers and related equipment.

Eight Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) made in fiscal year 2001 will create or save over 2,600

jobs in Pennsylvania. The RBOG program funds provide for technical assistance, training, and planning

activities that improve economic conditions in rural areas. One RBOG was made to the Northern Cambria

Community Development Corporation for the creation of a comprehensive economic development plan and

marketing strategy for the Borough of Northern Cambria. Another RBOG made to the Jefferson County

Development Council, Inc. will be used to provide technical assistance for creating marketing materials for

business recruiting purposes.
Rural Business - Cooperative Service (RBS)

Specialty Lending and Grant Programs (continued) 

Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) loans finance business

facilities and community development projects in rural areas. RBS

lends these funds to intermediaries, which, in turn, provide loans to

recipients who are developing business facilities or community

development projects. One of the two IRP loans made last fiscal year

was to help small farmers develop a regional farmer's market at the

Victory Road Industrial Park. Victory Road Industrial Park is a 78-

acre site set-aside for business development in Clinton Township,

Butler County. Pictured right, the Jean Bonnet Tavern, built in 1760,

was purchased, in part, with IRP money through The Progress Fund

Revolving Loan Fund. Four full-time jobs were created at the Tavern, located in Bedford County.

A Rural Economic Development Loan (REDL) was made to United Electric Cooperative, Inc. The funds will

be used in a business expansion and job creation project for purchasing equipment and funding a working

capital account.

Cooperative Services 

In 2001, USDA recognized 75 years of providing research, education, information and technical assistance

through Cooperative Services programs. There are about 3,500 farmer-owned agricultural cooperatives (coops) in the nation today, which record about $72 billion per year in sales of crops and livestock, and

approximately $23 billion in farm supply sales. Co-ops help members market their products and,

increasingly, add value to the products through further processing, as well as helping members obtain farm

supplies and services at fair prices. Utility cooperatives use the same principles to bring quality electrical and

telecommunications services to many rural and urban parts of the nation.

Keystone Development Center

On June 1, 2001, State Director Ross presented a check to

Don Fretts, President, Keystone Development Center.

This Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) was

made to help establish and operate a Pennsylvania center

for cooperative development. 

Best Milk Producers' Cooperative

Mr. David Duncan, II of the Best Milk Producers'

Cooperative in Williamsport, PA was awarded a fiscal year

2001 Value-Added Agricultural Product Market

Development Grant (VADG) for his proposal "Sustain and

Grow the Pure Country Dairy Store." 

The $90,000 grant will be used to establish a working capital

account used to pay salaries, utilities, and other operating

costs; to finance inventories and other related activities

necessary to establish alliances or business ventures that allow producers to better compete in domestic or

international markets for value-added products.
Community Development

There are twelve specific communities that have been targeted for particular focus by our Community

Development staff. Two of those communities, the City of Lock Haven (Clinton County) and Fay-Penn

(Fayette County) were identified through nationwide competition for the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise

Community (EZ/EC) program, which provides Federal grant funds to assist with implementing each eligible

community's strategic plan. 

By the end of the year, Lock Haven had completed 86% of its progress milestones toward reaching the plan’s

goals and objectives. Fiscal Year 2001 marked the 20% completion in Fay-Penn's ten-year strategic plan for

economic and community development. The other nine targeted communities are:

 Community of Whitsett, Fayette County

 Township of Oley, Berks County

 Borough of Honesdale (and surrounding townships), Wayne County

 Borough of Central City (and surrounding townships), Somerset County

 Borough of Northern Cambria, Cambria County (KOZ)

 Hawley Lake Region, Wayne County

 Ford City, Armstrong County (KOZ)

 Clinton Township, Butler County (KOZ)

 Piper Airport (City of Lock Haven), Clinton County

The communities were selected on the basis of need and opportunity identified through a strategic planning

process. These communities do not receive lump sum grants, but they receive technical assistance in

obtaining resources to turn those plans into reality. Several of the communities are rural participants in the

Commonwealth’s new “Keystone Opportunity Zones” (KOZ) program. KOZ uses tax abatement as incentive

to revive economically distressed communities, and also relies on broad-based planning. 

"Hawley-Lake Region for Progress"

Vision Statement Unveiled

Hawley and the surrounding

municipalities in Wayne County have

been receiving technical assistance for

visioning and strategic planning from

Rural Development. For the past year the

municipalities have been collecting

information about their communities;

appraising their strengths and weaknesses,

and developing a vision for the future.

The Hawley - Lake Region Plan for

Progress Steering Committee unveiled its

Vision Statement on March 31, 2001. The

complete vision statement is:

"Hawley and the Lake Wallenpaupack

Region are a diverse collection of rural communities, which value the unique environment, history and

culture of the area for residents and visitors of all ages. These communities work together to create and

enhance numerous economic, educational, health, safety, and recreational opportunities for all segments of

the community."
Single Family Housing (SFH)

Rural residents of Pennsylvania have improved their quality of life

by participating in Rural Development Housing programs that

ensure access to affordable, well built homes. Homeownership

promotes economic stability for families, and this stability enables

families to generate equity to finance education, start small

businesses, or save for retirement. Single Family Homeownership

helps to stabilize neighborhoods, thereby enhancing the quality of

life in rural communities. By providing direct and guaranteed loans

to low and moderate income families, the USDA Rural Housing

Service promotes community building in rural Pennsylvania. These

loans are for the purchase, construction, rehabilitation or relocation

of an eligible dwelling.

Section 502 Home Purchase Program

Pennsylvania families with limited household income may be

eligible to participate in our Section 502 Direct Single-Family

Housing (SFH) program that provides payment assistance to

qualified borrowers by subsidizing mortgage interest rates as low as

1%. This payment assistance makes homeownership affordable for

many rural residents in Pennsylvania.

Partnerships

During Fiscal Year 2001, the Single Family Housing program successfully leveraged Rural Development

funding with funding from non-profit organizations and local lenders. Through these partnerships, SFH

helped 253 families access approximately $2 million of conventional market financing and other participating

resources. By providing assistance with loan closing costs, participating resources have greatly improved

housing affordability for low-income families. 

Pamela Whitfield and her two children, Gary Lee, 17,

and Deanna, 8, were all smiles this Christmas season.

They put up a Christmas tree in their newly

constructed home located in Franklin County. Their

three bedroom, split-level home was built by S & A

Homes of Chambersburg and financed with Section

502 funds through Rural Development. Rural

Opportunities, Inc. also contributed $2,500 of 0% nonamortized funds that were used for closing costs.

Pam became eligible for the closing cost assistance

after attending 12 hours of homeownership counseling

provided by Rural Opportunities, Inc. As a single mother who is a self-employed house cleaner, Pam never

imagined that she could own a home. Pam learned valuable lessons about managing her income from Rural

Opportunities, Inc. homeownership counseling sessions, and as a result she was able to qualify for a Rural

Development loan. 

The Whitfield family is extremely grateful for the special assistance they received from USDA Rural

Development and Rural Opportunities, Inc. which helped make their dream of homeownership a reality.
Single Family Housing (SFH)

Section 504 Home Repair and Rehabilitation Program

Home improvement, repair loans, and grants under the Section 504

program are available to very low-income rural homeowners to improve

health and safety standards in their homes, and also to make them

accessible for individuals with disabilities. Payments remain affordable

with loan interest rates fixed at 1% and a twenty-year amortization period.

Grants are also available for Pennsylvania residents, 62 years or older,

who cannot afford to repay a home loan.

Section 502 Guaranteed Single Family Housing Program

The Rural Housing Service also offers a guaranteed loan program for

families with low to moderate incomes. No down payment is required and

the participating lender often includes closing costs in the mortgage. Lack

of a down payment often prevents prospective homebuyers from obtaining

a loan from private lenders, but the RHS guaranteed loan program has greatly increased the number of rural

Pennsylvania homeowners. During FY 2001, the guaranteed loan program enabled 922 families, who were

unable to obtain conventional credit, to purchase their own homes

Awards were presented to the top 6 producing

Originators for the Guaranteed Housing Loan

Program for FY 2001. Over 300 loan originators

participated in the RHS guaranteed loan program,

and the top 6 originators produced 18% of the loan

dollars. The award recipients were:

 Larry Hutchinson

 Omega Bank

 Stephen Argen

 North Atlantic Mortgage

 Alison Swanson

 Honesdale National Bank

 Brenda Thompson

 Jersey Shore National Bank

 Mary McDonough

 Allied Mortgage Capitol Corp.

 Rick Conner

 Express Financial Services

Packaging Applications

Often, very-low and low-income applicants need additional assistance in preparing and submitting an

application. Therefore, Rural Development has enlisted the assistance of non-profit organizations to assist

applicants in completing applications and in meeting the Agency’s requirements for assets, credit history, and

repayment ability. Packagers are valuable resources because some refer applicants to or provide them with

credit counseling and homebuyer education information.

Summary

In 2001, the Rural Housing Service assisted 1,832 families in the purchase, construction, and repair of homes.

Our Single Family Housing program funded $37,801,380 in direct loans, $1,029,659 in repair loans,

$1,244,050 in repair grants, and $68,956,473 in guaranteed loans. Funds leveraged with other sources

contributed an additional $1,997,362. USDA Rural Development’s Single Family Housing programs made it

possible for many Pennsylvania residents to obtain safe, affordable housing.

Alison Swanson of Allied Mortgage Capitol Corp. and

Bernie Linn, RD Guaranteed SFH Loan Specialist
Rural Utilities Service (RUS)

Through its Water and Wastewater programs, Pennsylvania RUS was able to improve the quality of life in

several rural communities this past year. We provided over $48 million in loans and grants to serve over

6,000 homes and more than 15,200 people in Pennsylvania with clean drinking water and modern sewer

facilities. 

Redstone Township Municipal Authority

On December 19, 2000, a dedication ceremony was held for the Redstone Township Municipal Authority's

new sewer system. Rural Development's loan of $4,220,100 and a $1,552,500 grant, together with local

contributions of $674,010 and a $500,000 grant

from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were used

to construct a public sewerage collection system

and sewer treatment plant that will serve more

than 1,137 residents in the communities of

Allison, Republic, Merrittstown, and Cardale in

Fayette County. 

Northeastern Schuylkill Joint Municipal

Authority

In October 2000, Rural Development announced

the RUS funding for the Northeastern Schuylkill

Joint Municipal Authority (NSJMA). Rural

Development provided a $5,074,500 loan and $4,007,050 grant to construct this wastewater collection system

that will serve more than 1,900 residents in Park Crest and Hosensock within Ryan Township, and

Barnesville, Grier City, Quakake and Tamamend in Rush Township.

Kinzua-Warren Municipal Authority

Rural Development and local officials joined together for the

groundbreaking ceremony of the Kinzua-Warren (Warren

County) Municipal Authority's new sewer system early in 2001.

Rural Development's $4,250,000 loan and $2,267,000 grant

together with local contributions of $670,000 and a $350,000

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will be used to

construct a public sewerage collection system and sewer

treatment plant that will serve over 1,800 residents in the

communities of Claredon Borough and Mead Township. Work in progress at the Kinzua-Warren site.

Gilberton Borough

Rural Development provided a $2,013,000

loan and $1,390,000 grant to be used for

construction of a sewerage treatment plant

that will serve more than 950 residents in

Gilberton Borough, Schuylkill County.

More than 6,000

homes have been

provided with clean

drinking water and

modern sewer

facilities this year.
Rural Utilities Service (RUS)

East Nittany Valley Joint Municipal Authority

East Nittany Valley Joint Municipal Authority held its ground

breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the $14.9 million

project to fulfill the sewer needs for sections of Lamar and Porter

Townships in Clinton County, and Walker Township in Centre

County. Work on the project began in early August and is expected

to be completed in one year.

RUS FUNDED PROJECTS IN FISCAL

YEAR 2001

COUNTY PROJECT LOAN AMOUNT GRANT AMOUNT

Carbon Weissport Municipal Authority $ 292,700 $ 661,000 

Clinton East Nittany Valley Joint Municipal Authority 1,511,300 

Fayette Luzerne Township Sewage Authority 2,988,300 1,998,160 

Fulton Dublin Township 894,000 2,227,000 

Indiana Conemaugh Township Municipal Authority 196,000 140,700 

Indiana Indiana County Municipal Services Authority 7,000,000 6,272,265 

Jefferson Brockway Borough Municipal Authority 500,000 855,000 

Luzerne Hazle Township Municipal Authority 4,253,500 4,232,700 

Luzerne Twin County Joint Municipal Authority 1,687,700 2,987,100 

Northumberland Upper Augusta Township Municipal Authority 555,000 277,800 

Potter Roulette Township 491,900 380,700 

Schuylkill Pine Grove Joint Municipal Authority 2,258,000 

Tioga Delmar Township 335,500 579,900 

Venengo Sandycreek Township 467,000 350,000 

Washington East Bethlehem Township Municiapl Authority 1,420,000 1,181,700 

Washington Burgettstown-Smith Township Joint Sewer Authority 1,237,900 

Wyoming Westgate Water and Sewer 260,200 106,800 

 $ 26,349,000 $ 22,250,825 

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

PA Cleanways of Westmoreland County was awarded a $20,000 solid waste management grant. The grant

funds will be used to help communities in Westmoreland County institute a countywide paper recycling

program, continue public awareness about recycling benefits, and educate youngsters about recycling.

DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE (DLT) GRANT

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program (DLT) is designed specifically to

meet the educational and health care needs of rural America. Through loans, grants,

and loan and grant combinations, advanced telecommunications technologies provide

enhanced learning and health care opportunities for rural residents.

The Cooperative Extension and Outreach Office at Pennsylvania State University

(Penn State) was awarded a $364,087 DLT Grant to develop a multi-dimensional

model for disseminating health messages and motivating rural residents to improve

health related behavior. The Penn State Cooperative Extension Service will promote and support communitybased health activities in conjunction with coordinated health messages developed through Penn State Public

Broadcasting (television, radio, interactive web), World Campus, continuing education, and various print

media. This motivational/educational outreach project promises maximum public access and engagement

throughout Pennsylvania.
Other Programs

Environmental Awareness

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) establishes the Federal government's environmental policies.

Its primary goal is to help public officials make decisions that are based on an understanding of the

environmental consequences of their actions, and to take actions that protect, restore, and enhance the

environment.

To accomplish this, USDA - Rural Development requires its applicants and current borrowers to consider

environmental impacts before taking actions financed by the Agency. The same is true for private lenders

whose loans are guaranteed by the Agency. Before any Rural Development assistance can be approved, the

Agency will assess the environmental impact of the proposed action to ensure that steps are taken to avoid or

reduce adverse effects.

In carrying out its mandates, Rural Development must ensure compliance with numerous Federal

environmental laws, regulations, and Executive orders. Some of these are: the Endangered Species Act, the

Safe Drinking Water Act, the Farmland Protection Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act,

Departmental Regulation 9500-3, Land Use Policy and Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management.

In Pennsylvania, Rural Development spearheaded action with the PA Department of Environmental

Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the PA Department of Community and Economic

Development to formulate a Uniform Environmental Review format. This will save municipal sewer or water

loan/grant applicants both time and money since all the state and Federal agencies that can provide financial

assistance will accept the same environmental documentation.

Outreach

Pennsylvania residents will find us many places

throughout the year -- The Farm Show, Home and

Builder's shows across Pennsylvania, Penn State's AG

Progress Days, and County Fairs. 

These are just a few places Pennsylvania residents have the

opportunity to meet our program specialists and discover

the USDA Rural Development programs available to them

and their communities.

Our Program Specialists also visit local community leaders

and groups to advise rural residents of the programs

available to them.

Civil Rights

Assuring equal opportunity in employment and program delivery is essential in administering Rural

Development Programs. Each Rural Development employee is responsible for ensuring the highest quality of

services for all recipients and beneficiaries of our programs. Rural Development is committed to fair and

equal treatment to employees and customers.
Pennsylvania Contacts

State Office Phone/Fax

Suite #330 (717) 237-2299

One Credit Union Place (717) 237-2191

Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996 (Hearing Impaired) (717) 237-2261

Byron E. Ross, State Director

Claire R. Bavaria, Administrative Management Program Director

Frank R. Wetherhold, Single Family Housing Program Director

Gary A. Rothrock, Multi-Family Housing/Community Facilities Program Director

Korah Abraham, Rural Utilities Service Program Director

F. Lee Patterson, Community & Economic Development Program Director

Linda J. Rodgers, Program Support Staff Director

Robert C. Schoenfeldt, State Civil Rights Coordinator

Trudy S. Moore, Management Control Officer

Pennsylvania Area Offices

Bradford (570) 265-6969 ext.203 

R.R. #5, Box 5030-F (570) 265-7435 Fax

Towanda, PA 18848-9333

Butler (724) 482-4800 ext. 4

Suite 101, 602 Evans City Road (724) 482-4826 Fax 

Butler, PA 16001-8701

Clinton (570) 7263196 ext. 203

216 Spring Run Rd., Rm 103 (570) 726-0064 Fax

Mill Hall, PA 17751-9543

Crawford (814) 336-6155

14699 N. Main St. Extension (814) 337-0294 Fax

Meadville, PA 16335-9441

Juniata (717) 436-8953 ext. 4

R.D. #3, Box 301 (717) 436-9128 Fax

Mifflintown, PA 17059-9621

Lehigh (610) 791-9810 ext. 4

2211 Mack Blvd. (610) 791-9820 Fax

Allentown, PA 18103-5623

Lycoming (570) 433-3008

542 County Farm Rd., Suite 205 (570) 433-3013 Fax

Montoursville, PA 17754-9685

Susquehanna (570) 278-3781/2542

R.D. #7, Box 7114 (570) 278-2648 Fax

Montrose, PA 18801-9515

Washington (724) 222-3060 ext. 4

P.O. Box 329 (724) 222-6211 Fax

Meadowsland, PA 15347-0329

Westmoreland (724) 853-5555

R.R. #12, Box 202A, Donohoe Center (724) 832-9721 Fax

Greensburg, PA 15601-9217

York (717) 755-2966 ext. 4

124 Pleasant Acres Road (717) 840-1302 Fax

York, PA 17402-8988
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs,

sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information

(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600

(voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write:

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights

Room 326-W

Whitten Building

14th and Independence Avenue SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

(202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD)

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer