IDAHO Rural Development 

ANNUAL REPORT - 2001 
Idaho Rural Development 1

 

Message from the State Director

December 2001 

Fellow Idahoans: 

We are pleased to report on the activities of Idaho USDA Rural Development for Fiscal 

Year 2001. 

In this annual report, you’ll find information about USDA Rural Development programs 

and how they help the people of our state. After reviewing it, we hope you’ll have a 

better idea of how USDA Rural Development is fulfilling its mission to create new 

opportunities for rural Idahoans. 

Helping to create quality housing, good jobs, safe drinking water, and reliable and 

modern infrastructure for rural communities remains a top priority. Rural Development 

employees in Idaho are working in partnership with federal, state, and local government 

officials as well as the private sector to make certain our financial resources are invested 

wisely and have the greatest impact on improving the quality of life for rural residents. 

The accomplishments you will see in the following report demonstrate Rural 

Development’s dedication to the betterment of rural Idaho. 

We want to thank our partners: the private, nonprofit, and government entities that have 

participated in many of our projects. With their assistance, we have helped many more 

rural residents than we would have acting alone. 

We recognize that the best solutions to rural problems are those developed by the folks on 

the ground. We stand ready to assist Idaho’s rural communities by being an active 

participant in their growth. 

Sincerely, 

Michael A. Field 

State Director 
2 Idaho Rural Development 

Annual Report Statement From Secretary Ann M. Veneman 

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 Idaho and from all across this nation are what truly makes 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. 
Idaho Rural Development 3

 

Synopsis of Rural Development Programs

Rural Housing Service 

To provide safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income rural Idaho 

families is a central goal of USDA Rural Development. Quality housing provides an economic 

benefit to communities and gives individuals and families a sound footing, thereby enabling their 

success. 

The Rural Housing Program delivers its services through direct and guaranteed 502 loans, selfhelp housing loans, 504 loans and grants for housing improvement and renovation, and through 

housing preservation grants. Direct and guaranteed rural rental housing loans allow for 

construction and renovation of rental units for very-low-, low-, and moderate-income residents in 

rural areas. Rural rental housing assistance provides subsidized rent to very-low- and lowincome individuals, families, and the elderly who reside in USDA direct-financed apartments. 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

USDA Rural Development is committed to assisting with economic growth and diversification 

by providing financing and loan guarantees to rural businesses. It also provides technical 

assistance to rural businesses, conducts research into rural economic issues, provides cooperative 

education materials to the public, and assists communities through the Empowerment Zone/ 

Enterprise Community Program. Rural Business-Cooperative Service helps rural residents form 

new cooperative businesses and improve the operations of existing cooperatives. 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service helps fund projects that create or preserve quality jobs. 

Financial resources of Rural Business-Cooperative Service are often leveraged with those of 

public and private credit source lenders to meet business needs in underserved areas. Rural 

Business-Cooperative Service is delivered through Business and Industry loan guarantees, 

Intermediary Relending Program loans, Rural Business Enterprise Grants, Cooperative Services 

Division, and Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community Program. 

Rural Utilities and Community Facilities 

Planning for, developing, and maintaining a community’s physical infrastructure is essential both 

for service to current residents and for future economic competitiveness. In order for Idaho’s 

rural areas to succeed, citizens must have affordable access to water, wastewater and solid waste 

disposal, electricity, and telecommunications services. Rural Utilities and Community Facilities 

seeks to improve the quality of life in rural America through loans, grants, and technical 

assistance which develop water systems and wastewater, storm water, and solid waste disposal 

systems in rural areas and towns with a population of 10,000 or less. The Water and Waste 

Disposal program is placing strong emphasis on Water 2000, a national initiative dedicated to 

providing safe drinking water in all unserved and underserved households. The Community 

Facilities Program provides financing (loans, loan guarantees, and grants) to local governments 

and non-profits with a population of 20,000 or less for health care, public safety, and public 

service facilities. 

Community development goes hand-in-hand with economic development. Community leaders 

require information on alternatives and opportunities if they are to plan adequately for the future. 

Communities also must be served by a partnership of state, federal, local, and private funding in 

order to meet their goals. 
4 Idaho Rural Development 

RHS

54%

RBS 

24%

RUCF

22%

Fiscal Year 2001 Accomplishments 

It is the goal of USDA Rural Development 

to help rural Americans grow and improve 

their quality of life. We accomplish this by 

administering programs which help rural 

residents care for their families and ensure 

that businesses they start and communities 

in which they live have the best chance to 

grow and thrive. 

In fiscal year 2001, Idaho Rural 

Development expended more than $95.6 

million in grants and direct and guaranteed 

loans in support of rural development 

activities across the state. These funds 

helped provide housing for more than 634 

rural households; established safe and 

sanitary water and wastewater systems 

serving more than 21,000 rural residents; 

provided essential community facilities, 

including health care, fire protection, and 

group homes to 52,000 rural residents; 

created or stabilized approximately 917 

rural jobs; and provided numerous 

additional economic, social, and 

environmental benefits to rural communities 

throughout the state. 

Of this $95.6 million, approximately 54% 

was devoted to rural housing activities, 22% 

to the development of community facilities 

and rural water and wastewater systems, and 

24% to rural business and cooperative 

development activities. 

Fiscal Year 2001 Funds Usage 

Per Program Area 

RHS Total - 54% 61% - SFH Guaranteed loans 

37% - SFH Direct loans 

 2% - Multi-Family/Labor Housing loans 

RBS Total - 24% 51.6% - B&I Guarantee loans 

43% - CAIP loans 

 3% - IRP loans 

 2% - RBEG 

0.4%- RBOG 

RUCF Total - 22% 72% - WWD loans and grants 

27% - CF loans, grants and loan guarantees 

 1% - Solid Waste Management grants

 
Idaho Rural Development 5

 

Rural Housing Service 

Program Name 

Dollars 

Obligated 

Participation 

Amount 

Percent of 

Participation 

Single Family Housing 

Loans (Section 502) 

 

 Very Low Income $8,610,061 $2,024,628 24% 

 Low Income $10,172,293 $3,247,136 32% 

Repair & Rehabilitation 

Grants (Section 504) 

$301,710 $2,820 1% 

Repair & Rehabilitation 

Loans (Section 504) 

$308,133 $2,000 1% 

Single Family Housing 

Guaranteed Loans 

$31,142,580 N/A N/A 

Farm Labor Housing 

(Section 514) 

$-0- $-0- 0% 

Multi-Family Housing 

Loans (Section 515) 

$955,000 $18,000 2% 

Housing Preservation 

Grants (Section 533) 

$-0- $-0- 0% 

In 2001, Rural Housing Service provided 

approximately $18,782,354 in direct funds 

and $31,142,580 in guaranteed funds to help 

634 rural families buy single family homes. 

Also, $609,843 in grant and loan funds 

assisted 111 very-low-income homeowners 

with removal of health and safety hazards or 

rehabilitation of their existing dwellings. 

Rural Development provided $955,000 to 

rehabilitate existing rental housing units in 

McCall, Hailey, New Plymouth, and Rupert, 

Idaho. In total, Idaho's Rural Housing 

Service invested more than $51,489,777 

either as direct loans and grants or 

guaranteed loans in rural housing. 

Five Year Funding 

History for RHS

Dollars obligated 

shown in millions

41.1

56.6

52.2 52.5 51.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
6 Idaho Rural Development 

8.3

16.4

14.9

11.1

22.9

0

5

10

15

20

25

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

 Dollars Participation Total 

Program Name Obligated Amount Investment #Jobs

Business and Industry Loan Guarantee $11,795,745 $12,000,396 $23,796,141 404.5 

Business and Industry Loan Guarantee (CAIP) $ 9,843,940 $ 8,485,585 $18,329,525 183 

Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) $ 525,011 $ 3,911,600 $ 4,436,611 245 

Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) $ 600,000 $ 110,000 $ 710,000 85 

Rural Business opportunity Grant (RBOG) $ 90,000 $ 18,000 $ 108,000 

Total $22,854,696 $24,525,581 $47,380,277 917.5

Rural Development provided financing to 

promote the start-up or expansion of rural 

business or cooperatives, creating or preserving 

917 jobs in the rural areas served. $22,854,696 

in Rural Development, Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBS) program assistance 

was provided to rural projects as guaranteed 

loans, grants made to third parties, or loans made 

to intermediaries to facilitate the development of 

rural businesses and cooperatives. 

 RBS program assistance was leveraged with 

$24,525,581 from our Partners, for a total 

investment in rural projects and communities of 

$47,380,277. Idaho RBS provided technical 

assistance services to cooperatives and 

cooperative steering committees to facilitate 

cooperative development. RBS assisted rural 

communities via outreach and education through 

the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community 

Initiative. 

Five Year Funding 

History for RBS

Dollars obligated 

shown in millions 
Idaho Rural Development 7

 

12.3

13.9 13.8 14.5

21.3

0

5

10

15

20

25

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Rural Utilities and Community Facilities 

Program Name 

Dollars 

Obligated 

Participation 

Amount Total 

Water & Waste Disposal 

 Loans $6,442,000 

 Grants $3,409,800 $5,394,658 $17,636,958 

 Native American $1,470,000 

 ECWAG $920,500 

Solid Waste Management Grants $186,822 $186,822 

Community Facilities 

 Direct Loans $1,975,500 

 Grants $102,000 $3,395,591 $8,432,814 

 Guaranteed Loans $1,624,000 

 Special Initiative Grants $1,335,723 

Electric Loans $3,860,000 $3,860,000 

Totals $21,326,345 $8,790,249 $30,116,594 

In fiscal year 2001, $13,572,300 in loans 

and grants were provided for rural water or 

wastewater projects that serve approximately 21,000 rural residents, and $186,822 

in grant funds were provided for three solid 

waste management technical assistance 

projects. These monies included a grant to 

the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to assist in 

getting safe drinking water to residents 

currently using contaminated ground water, 

a loan and a grant to the Nez Perce Tribe to 

provide wastewater service to Native 

Americans in the East Kamiah area with 

failing septic systems, and Emergency 

Community Water Assistance Grants to five 

communities in Idaho who experienced 

significant decline in water quality and/or 

water quantity. Rural Development also 

provided approximately $5,035,223 in loan 

and grant funds which assisted in financing 

new or improved community facilities 

servicing approximately 52,000 rural 

residents. The Community Facility funding 

included a direct and guaranteed loan to 

Ashton Memorial for a 28-bed nursing home 

in Ashton, a direct loan and guaranteed loan 

to the Custer Health Care Association for a 

28-bed assisted-living facility in Challis, 

and a $135,000 grant to the Shoshone-Paiute 

Tribes for a college- level educational 

facility on the Duck Valley Indian 

Reservation.

Five Year Funding 

History for RUCF

Dollars obligated 

shown in millions
8 Idaho Rural Development 

14.5

21.3

9.2

6.4

8.7

20.9

30

13.9

12.3

13.8

8

10.5

22.8 23.1 21.8

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

RUCF

Participation

Total

11.1

22.9

3.6

24.5

14.7

47.4

14.9 16.4

8.3 7.4

4

2.5

10.8

22.3 20.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

RBS

Participation

Total

Participation - The following graphs show the dollar amounts leveraged by 

our partners for Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

and Rural Utilities & Community Facilities.

52.5 51.5

6.7

5.3

59.2 56.8

52.2

41.1

59.7

0.62

3.3

3.2

59.7

55.4

63

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

RHS

Participation

Total
Idaho Rural Development 9

 

IDAHO GRH LOANS BY LENDER 

FISCAL YEARS 2000 & 2001

NAME OF LENDER TYPE OF LENDER 

APPROVAL 

# 

FY 2000 

$ 

FY 2000 

# 

FY 2001 

$ 

FY 2001 

Academy Mortgage 6 $581,210 

Action Mortgage State 2 $168,590 4 $375,269 

Allied Mortgage 1 $201,200 

American Mortgage National 1 $95,000 

Bank of Commerce State 12 $979,295 13 $905,360 

Bank of Idaho fka B. of Eastern ID State 32 $2,111,300 38 $2,569,500 

Cache Mortgage State 

Cache Valley Bank 2 205,000 

Central Pacific Mortgage National 1 $69,500 

Chase Manhattan Mortgage National 15 $1,159,150 19 $1,782,258 

Cherry Creek Mortgage 7 $675,500 

Colonial fka Interwest National 3 $218,500 6 $464,440\ 

Continental Savings Bank National 

Countrywide Home Loans National 28 $178,000 24 $2,055,700 

Crossland Mortgage National 2 

First Colony Mortgage Corp. 12 $1,035,676 

First Federal Savings Bank 4 $240,230 

First Horizon fka FT Mortgage Co. National 18 $1,330,030 17 $1,214,616 

First Mortgage State 4 $361,214 2 $165,500 

First Security Bank National 58 $5,096,709 10 $891,350 

FirstBank Northwest State 22 $2,005,270 16 $1,460,811 

Global Credit Union 4 $355,150 

Home Federal Savings & Loan State 10 $767,017 4 $313,542 

Home Mortgage State 3 $264,289 

Home Street Mortgage National 1 $100,650 

Idaho Independent Bank State 2 $181,425 14 $1,390,600 

Idaho State University Fed. Credit 1 $61,900 

Ireland Bank State 2 $155,900 6 $471,900 

Irwin Mortgage National 

M&T Mortgage National 15 $1,314,952 9 $904,767 

Magic Valley Bank State 27 $1,752,000 34 $2,412,100 

Major Mortgage National 2 $118,000 

Mann Financial National 

Mortgage Capital Resources National 

Mountain West Bank State 27 $1,692,699 12 $1,210,914 

National City fka AccuMortgage National 16 $1,482,335 15 $1,397,521 

North American Mortgage National 39 $3,339,096 28 $2,603,795 

Old Kent Mortgage National 10 $849,379 10 $723,000 

Republic Mortgage National 29 $2,542,785 12 $1,130,900 

Republic Northwest, LLC 7 $591,900 

Washington Trust Bank State 3 $244,475 3 $274,790 

Wells Fargo fka Norwest Mortgage National 3 $235,000 19 $1,991,516 

Young Mortgage State 3 $290,500 1 $90,400 

Zion’s Mortgage National 13 $1,083,220 4 $324,500 

TOTAL’s 394 $32,377,274 364 31,072,815 
10 Idaho Rural Development 

Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans: Fiscal Years 2000 & 2001

Lender Location Number of Loans

FY 2000 

Amount of 

Loans 

FY 2000 

Number of 

Loans 

FY 2001 

Amount of 

Loans 

FY 2001 

Farm Credit Services Twin Falls 2 $ 5,000,000 

Farmers & Merchants Caldwell 1 $ 233,000 

First Security Bank, NA Burley 1 $ 350,000 

First Security Bank, NA Idaho Falls 1 $ 405,330 

First Security Bank, NA Nampa 1 $ 1,950,000 1 $ 415,000 

First Security Bank, NA/Wells 

Fargo 

Sandpoint, 

Hayden 

2 $ 568,000 3 $ 1,526,000 

FirstBank Northwest Coeur d'Alene 2 $ 1,610,000 

GE Capital St. Louis, MO 1 $ 1,650,000 

Keybank National Association Twin Falls 2 $ 3,023,685 

Northwest Farm Credit Services Spokane, WA 1 $ 1,500,000 

US Bank, NA Idaho Falls 1 $ 1,000,000 

US Bank, NA Pocatello 1 $ 740,000 

US Bank, NA Preston 1 $ 280,000 2 $ 485,000 

Zions Bank St. Louis, MO 1 $ 2,200,000 2 $ 7,400,000 

 

 TOTAL 11 $ 9,896,330.00 15 $ 20,439,685 

Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans: Fiscal Year 2001 

Lender Location 

Number 

of Loans 

FY 2001 

Amount 

of Loans 

FY 2001 

Wells Fargo Twin Falls 1 $115,000

RCAC Sacramento 1 $74,000

Bank of Idaho Ashton 1 $1,100,000

Bank of Idaho Idaho Falls 1 $215,000

Bank of Idaho Idaho Falls 1 $120,000

Totals 5 $1,624,000
Idaho Rural Development 11

 

Fiscal Year 2001 Highlights

Rural Housing

Multi-Family Housing 

Multi-Family Housing funds were used to rehabilitate a 24-unit housing complex for the elderly 

in New Plymouth, Idaho. New vinyl siding and windows were installed to further improve the 

longevity of the property and make it more energy-efficient. New concrete walkways were 

installed to remove tripping hazards. 

The U.S. Government’s real estate owned (REO) 18-unit family inventory property located in 

McCall, Idaho was sold to Elderly Opportunity Agency, Inc. A rehabilitation loan was made to 

replace windows and update the interiors of the complex and to meet accessibility requirements. 

Rehabilitation loans also were made to a 24-unit family complex in Hailey, Idaho (to replace a 

roof) and to a 24-unit family complex in Rupert (to replace siding and to meet accessibility 

requirements). 

Mutual Self-Help Housing 

Mercy Housing, Inc., was awarded a technical assistance grant to develop a Mutual Self-Help 

Housing Project in Kimberly, Idaho. Ten families have started construction on their homes and 

hope to have them finished by summer of 2002. 

Success Story 

Kenneth and Laura Fuqua wanted to build a home for themselves. His Twin brother had built a 

home for his family using RD’s Mutual Self-Help Housing Program. When Ken was 7 years old, 

his special education teacher got legal guardianship of him and his twin brother. When Ken was 

11 year old, he was involved in a tubing accident that caused him to have seizures. The seizures 

were controlled by medication, but Ken still had problems with comprehension. It takes him 

longer to understand instructions. Ken qualified for social security income due to his disability. 

With the help of USDA, Rural Development in Caldwell and the Idaho Development and 

Housing Organization, Inc. (I.D.A.H.O.), Ken and Laura started to build their home in June 

2000. Ken’s main goal was to have a house of his own, like his brother. After a year-long 

struggle, and a lot of people helping to transport them, they moved into their new home in April 

2001. 

Ken and Laura Fuqua Ken and Laura Fuqua

Ken & Laura Fuqua Ken & Laura Fuqua
12 Idaho Rural Development 

Ken’s adopted mother, Lois Adair, says: “There is no way I can explain how grateful I am to 

I.D.A.H.O. and USDA, Rural Development. You have given my son and daughter-in-law a 

chance to build a future. Being mentally challenged has kept them from other opportunities, and 

the crew at Caldwell I.D.A.H.O. and USDA, Rural Development did not see it as a problem. 

Wendy, with I.D.A.H.O. and the others at USDA, Rural Development have gone the extra mile 

and then some to help them succeed. This program truly gives the “chance of a lifetime” to 

people that are unable to meet the strict guidelines of other programs. 

“I do hope that this program will continue to offer a future to other families out there that want a 

hand up and not a hand out. The concept of this project: Let us help you build your own—

makes more sense than: Let us give you one! 

“I realize that ‘Thank You’ is not much, but I don’t know what else to say. You have given my 

child something that I couldn’t.....Pride in a home that he helped build.” 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan 

In 1990 the business community of the small rural Idaho city of Orofino participated with LewisClark State College in an economic development project funded by a federal grant. Through 

several survey methods, the citizens of the community voiced their concerns that the greatest 

need of the area was a retirement center. With no retirement or assisted care center in the area, 

Orofino was losing its seniors to housing in other communities. This required relocation to 

Lewiston, Idaho/Clarkston, Washington (a travel time of over an hour) or to the Spokane, 

Washington area (a travel time of over 4 hours). 

Fueled by the survey results that seemed only to confirm what they already knew, a group of 

Orofino citizens came together in 1995 to form Orofino Retirement Properties, Inc., a 

corporation owned by 18 investors from the Orofino community. Although significant 

investment was made by the individual investors, finding financing to complete this substantial 

project was proving to be a tremendous challenge. Due to the remote rural location and the 

inherent risks associated with lending in truly rural areas, the group experienced several setbacks 

in their effort to develop the retirement center. However, they were determined to see the project 

develop. 

In January of 1999, Rural Development was invited to Orofino to discuss the project. Rural 

Development met with an enthusiastic group of project investors: the local lender (the Bank of 

Latah), local contractors, and other community leaders. Upon hearing the history that brought all 

of the parties to this meeting, Rural Development came away impressed with the sincere 

commitment of the group to develop the retirement center in an effort to provide this needed 

service to the citizens of the community. 

Rural Development was asked to consider providing financial assistance, through the Rural 

Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee Program. 

This was seen as being the final piece to the nearly-10-year effort to develop this worthy project. 

The local lender, himself a member of the Orofino community who knows personally the 

investors and understands their commitment, was unable to bear the financial risk of financing 

such a sizeable project. However, with a B&I loan guarantee, this lender could provide the 

financing needed to bring the project to fruition. RBS delivered to the Bank of Latah a B&I loan 

guarantee, thus providing the financial support needed to allow the lender to make the loan. 
Idaho Rural Development 13

 

With the opening of Brookside Landing in May of 2001, the dream first spawned by the 1990 

survey has become a reality. Just prior to the May opening, Rural Development was treated to a 

grand tour of the new facility. In addition to the 28 retirement apartments and 12 assisted living 

apartment units, the complex has two dining areas, common lounge areas, a library, an exercise 

room, rooms for doctors/nurses, a beauty salon, a physical therapy room, and even a designated 

area for resident gardening. The facility is advertised as "a place for active, engaged, busy 

people who've earned the right to relax." Soon after the opening, the apartments were at 100% 

occupancy on the assisted living side, with a waiting list of 7 more applicants, and was nearly 

fully occupied on the retirement side. 

Paul and Lee Pippenger, two of the owners of the facility, described how when they first started 

the project, they saw it as a place where their parents could live. Now many of the investors see 

it as a place where they themselves may soon want to live. The community is extremely proud of 

their facility and is especially proud of the fact that it is owned by a group of local investors, 

financed by a local lending institution, built by local contractors, and is serving local residents. 

The development of this business, which has added 16 jobs to an area that has an unemployment 

rate nearly three times the rate for the State of Idaho, has provided a significant impact to the 

rural economy of this area. In addition to the employment provided by the business, the project 

provides a much-needed service to the citizens of the community. 

Rural Business Enterprise Grant 

The economic base of Valley County and the City of Cascade includes timber, mining, and 

ranching. Accordingly, over the past decade the economy has been strained as all three sectors 

of the economic base have been under pressure from a number of directions. The community's 

challenges peaked when, on May 31, 2001, one of Cascade’s largest employers, Boise-Cascade, 

closed their sawmill. The adverse effect upon the community has been considerable in that not 

only were the mill jobs lost, but also a considerable number of additional jobs through related 

businesses. 
14 Idaho Rural Development 

In an effort to replace jobs that have been lost, the City of Cascade is working diligently toward 

attracting alternative wood product businesses. With the assistance of a U.S. Forest Service 

grant, the City purchased an existing building located in the community that will be used as a 

business incubator. RBS Rural Business Enterprise Grant funds will be used by the City to 

complete a feasibility study that will be used to assess the feasibility of attracting alternative 

wood products industry to the City of Cascade and Valley County, Idaho. 

Rural Utilities and Community Facilities 

The FY 2001 Budget for Rural Utilities Service contained funding for the Emergency 

Community Water Assistance Grant (ECWAG) program for the first time in many years. This 

was excellent timing for five Idaho communities that had experienced a serious decline in water 

quality and/or water quantity over the last two years. We were able to obtain $920,500 in 

ECWAG funding for the five communities that met this criteria. A couple of the Idaho projects 

were unique. The City of Athol received a grant of $40,000 to go along with $65,000 provided by 

the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Idaho Department of Idaho Water Resources 

to construct a fill station in Athol. The fill station is used by approximately 300 families who 

live in rural areas of Kootenai County. These families do not have adequate domestic water at 

their homes. The fill station provides a source of safe drinking water that can be hauled from 

Athol (at a cost of $.25/100 gallons) to their domestic water tanks.
Idaho Rural Development 15

 

A second ECWAG project was approved for the City of Kooskia. The grant of $262,300 will be 

used to run a water line from Kooskia ,1.2 miles south along State Highway 12, to the Clearwater 

Valley High School. The high school's well has been declining in water quantity for several years 

requiring temporary closures until the well recharged. The new water line will provide a 

permanent solution to the Clearwater Valley High School's water supply problem.

Another unique project we are excited about is the Custer Health Care Association's (CHCA) 

assisted living project to be located in Challis, Idaho. USDA, Rural Development has worked for 

several years with CHCA to make their dream of an Assisted Care Living Facility in Challis a 

reality. The 28-bed project, once in operation, will allow seniors from the area, who need care, 

to remain in Challis close to family and friends. The success of this project was due to the 

collaboration of many organizations, including the Bank of Idaho, Custer County, the City of 

Challis, Rural Development, and the Idaho Department of Commerce. The Bank of Idaho will 

make a loan of $335,000 to be guaranteed by USDA, Rural Development; the Department of 

Commerce will make a grant of $500,000; and USDA, Rural Development will make a direct 

loan of $328,500. 

USDA, Rural Development and all of the partners attended a ground breaking ceremony in 

Challis on September 17, 2001. 
16 Idaho Rural Development 

IDAHO RURAL 

DEVELOPMENT OFFICES

State Office 

9173 West Barnes, Suite A1 

Boise, ID 83709 

phone: 208-378-5600 fax: 208-378-5643 

Michael A. Field, State Director 

email: mike.field@id.usda.gov

Program Directors 

Roni Atkins, Rural Housing 

phone: 208-378-5630 email: 

roni.atkins@id.usda.gov

Daniel Fraser, Rural Utilities & Community 

Facilities 

phone: 208-378-5618 email: 

dan.fraser@id.usda.gov

Daryl Moser, Rural Business & Cooperative 

Service 

phone: 208-378-5623 email: 

daryl.moser@id.usda.gov

Carol Andrew, Administrative 

phone: 208-378-5602 email: 

carol.andrew@id.usda.gov

Northern Idaho 

Coeur d’Alene Area Office 

Morris E. (Mac) Cavasar, Rural Development 

Manager 

7830 Meadowlark Way, Suite C3, Coeur 

d'Alene, Idaho 83815 

phone: 208-762-4939 fax: 208-762-9799 

email: mac.cavasar@id.usda.gov

Northern Idaho serves Benewah, Bonner, 

Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, 

Lewis, 

Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties with 

Outreach Offices at the following locations: 

Coeur d’Alene Outreach Office 

Howard Lunderstadt, Rural Development Specialist 

7830 Meadowlark Way, Suite C3, Coeur 

d'Alene, Idaho 83815 

phone: 208-762-4939 fax: 208-762-9799 

email: howard.lunderstadt@id.usda.gov

Grangeville Outreach Office 

(vacant), Rural Development Specialist 

Route 1, Box 2, Grangeville, Idaho 83530 

phone: 208-983-1050 fax: 208-983-0519 

email: @id.usda.gov

 

Lewiston Outreach Office 

Zeeta Gribble, Rural Development Specialist 

3113 E. Main St., Grangeville, Idaho 83501 

phone: 208-746-9621 fax: 208-798-3164 

email: zeeta.gribble@id.usda.gov 

Western Idaho 

Caldwell Area Office 

M. Stewart Brent, Rural Development Manager 

2208 E. Chicago, Suite C, Caldwell, Idaho 83605

 

phone: 208-459-0761 fax: 208-459-0762 

email: stewart.brent@id.usda.gov

Western Idaho serves Ada, Adams, Boise, 

Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, 

and Washington Counties with Outreach Offices 

in the following locations: 

Caldwell Outreach Office 

Carole Percifield, Rural Development Specialist 

2208 E. Chicago, Suite C, Caldwell, Idaho 83605

 

phone: 208-454-8691 fax: 208-459-0762 

email: carole.percifield@id.usda.gov 

Mountain Home Outreach Office

Louise McBride, Rural Development Specialist 

795 South Haskett, Mountain Home, Idaho 

83647 

phone: 208-587-9791 fax: 208-587-6630 

email: louise.mcbride@id.usda.gov

Weiser Outreach Office 

Nicholes Partin, Rural Development Specialist 

845 East 9th, Weiser, Idaho 83672 

phone: 208-549-4280 fax: 208-549-4229 

email: nicholes.partin@id.usda.gov

Central Idaho 

Twin Falls Area Office 

Larry Stachler, Rural Development Manager 

1441 Fillmore, Suite C, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 

phone: 208-733-5380 fax: 208-734-0428 

email: larry.stachler@id.usda.gov

Central Idaho serves Blaine, Cassia, Gooding, 

Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls 

Counties with Outreach Offices in the following 

locations: 

Rupert Outreach Office 

Manuel A. (Tony) Ballestero, Rural 

Development Specialist 

98-B South 200 West, Rupert, Idaho 83350 

phone: 208-436-0116 fax: 208-436-3098 

email: manuel.ballestero@id.usda.gov
Idaho Rural Development 17

 

Twin Falls Outreach Office 

LaDeane Brown, Rural Development Specialist 

1441 Fillmore, Suite C, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 

phone: 208-733-5380 fax: 208-734-0428 

email: ladeane.brown@id.usda.gov

Eastern Idaho 

Blackfoot Area Office 

Gary Gamble, Rural Development Manager 

725 Jensen Grove Drive, Suite 1, Blackfoot, 

Idaho 83221 

phone: 208-785-5840 fax: 208-785-6561 

email: gary.gamble@id.usda.gov

Eastern Idaho serves Bannock, Bear Lake, 

Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, 

Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, 

Madison, Oneida, Power, and Teton Counties 

with Outreach Offices in the following locations: 

Blackfoot Outreach Office 

Julie Neff, Rural Development Specialist 

725 Jensen Grove Drive, Suite 1, Blackfoot, 

Idaho 83221 

phone: 208-785-6600 fax: 208-785-6561 

email: julie.neff@id.usda.gov

Rexburg Outreach Office 

Christie Robertson, Rural Development 

Specialist 

265 East 4th North, Rexburg, Idaho 83440 

phone: 208-356-7248 fax: 208-356-7240 

email: christie.robertson@id.usda.gov

Soda Springs Outreach Office

David Birch, Rural Development Specialist 

390 E. Hooper, No. 3, Soda Springs, Idaho 

83276 

phone: 208-547-4926 fax: 208-547-4801 

email: david.birch@id.usda.gov