USDA announces Recovery Act efforts to strengthen rural economies

By Melissa Coon

© Copyright Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.

 Washington, July 12 – On behalf of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Victor Vasquez today announced Recovery Act investments for 11 businesses for nine states to strengthen rural economies by supporting local and regional food systems. The loan guarantees are from the USDA Rural Development’s Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program, which received $1.57 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to help rural businesses stimulate their economies and support local communities.

“Our farmers are the most productive in the world, supplying much of the nation’s food, and in so doing, are creating the jobs that are necessary to strengthen our economy,” said Vilsack. “By connecting farmers and ranchers more closely with consumers of food, we are creating new economic opportunities for producers and helping consumers to access healthy, nutritious food.”

These announcements are part of USDA’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative, which seeks to create new economic opportunities, to promote local and regional food systems that help keep wealth in rural communities, and to encourage a national conversation about what we eat and where it comes from in order to benefit producers of all sizes.

“The Obama Administration and USDA are committed to strengthening and supporting rural business and regional economies in order to revitalize our small towns and communities,” Vasquez said. “This funding will help create and save jobs and build on America’s economic recovery.”

Garden Fresh Vegetables, LLC was selected to receive $3.9 million to expand its greenhouse business by purchasing a 10-acre greenhouse and constructing a new facility. The expansion will create an estimated 35 new jobs for the company, which currently employs 50 full-time and 10 part-time employees.

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Additionally, the Torii Mor Winery, LLC will receive $6 million to establish a working capital reserve to create and retain jobs, including preserving nine existing positions.

The following are expected to receive loans:

Iowa

  • North American Co-Pack, LLC; Iowa State Bank: $1,890,000 loan

  • World Food Processing, LLC; Bank Iowa: $8,000,000 loan

Mississippi

  • Noxubee County Producers, Inc.; BankFirst Financial: $1,251,000 loan

Nebraska

  • Garden Fresh Vegetables; UMB Bank: $3,967,262 loan

North Carolina

  • Little River Trails Farm & Ranch; Cape Fear Farm Credit: $2,885,000 loan

Ohio

  • Conn's Potato Chips; The Community Bank: $5,200,000 loan

Oregon

  • Torii Mor Winery, LLC; Oregon First Community Credit Union: $6,000,000 loan

Pennsylvania

  • ASK Foods, Inc.; M&T Bank: $3,100,000 loan

Washington

  • Snokist Growers; Community Bank: $9,697,163 loan

Wisconsin

  • Decatur Dairy, Inc.; Wisconsin Community Bank: $400,000 loan

  • Baker Cheese Factory, Inc.; Badgerland Financial: $4,500,000 loan

For more information about the USDA’s Recovery Act: click here.

For information about the Federal Governments efforts on the Recovery Act: click here.

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