The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-09
APPROPRIATION
 OF $lOO,OOO FOR
 RURAL PROGRAM
Federal Funds Used in Naugatuck Valley for
 Farm Project

An appropriation of $100,0OO of federal funds for the rural rchabiIi- tation program has been officially announced and the Naugatuck val- ley has been chosen as the site of the first project of this kind in the state, 1t was learned today. William M. Harris, local FERA administra- tor, said that while he had re- ccived no definite information from state headquarters on the plan, he understood that the appropriation had been earmarked by the state.
 Final recommendations to the federal government will be made shortly by the State Emergency Relief Commission and application for the funds will be made follow ing the formation of corporation to supervise the program.
 Plans announced at state relief headquarters differ somewhat from those formulated here under Mir. Harris direction, although follow- ing the same general principles. The project approved by state au- thorities calls for an expenditure of approximately $3,500 for q house and outbuildings, of which amount $2,2500 would be spent on the house.
 F1DRA architects working on the development in Waterbury estima- ted that construction of the hous- eS would cost less than $2,000. One of the proposed sites, already un- der option, is in Middlebur. and this location was used as the basis of local plans. Mir. Harris idea was the establishment of self supporting community, with five families contributing to the oper- ation of individual dairies. pder this plan, approximately 200 fam flies would be established at the Middlebury site.
 Z According to Miss Eleanor HH. Little, state administrator of tho EZRA, funds now being paid for rent for persons who wish to take advantage of the new proposal, will provide necessary payments for tho farm, ovar a period of years. Fam flies with farming experience will naturally be given preference.
 Contracts will be given to each hom esteader, under which the monthly rent payments may be ap- piled to the purchase price of the farm over term of years. Title to tho property will be held by the corporation until the loan Is paid off. The entire development is to be worked out In cooperation with the Connecticut State college.
 Besides Middlebury, other sites mentioned include Shelton, Beacon Falls, and oxford. Mir. Harris des- cribed the Middicbury site as being an ideal situation, being near the highway and with an adequate water supply available. He pointed out also that land formation, slop- ing back to a hillside, would be ex- cellently suited for vineyards.
 It is supposed that from 10 to 20 acres of land, sufficient to sup port G COW and chickens. be allo- catcd to each homestead. Present plans call for the construction work to be done by workmcn now on relief. in order to keep down costs of building.
 In connection with this proviso, 1t is expected that tine plan will ba actively opposed by local con- tractors. Several individual buiid- CTS, and two local contracting com panies have made known their dis approval of allowing government construction projects to be handled by relief agencies.
 Actual location of the sites will be announced following the forma- ton of the proposed corporation.