$4.8 MILLION IN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RECOVERY ACT FUNDING

$4.8 MILLION IN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RECOVERY ACT FUNDING

USDA Recovery Act Spending is Stimulating Economies, Revitalizing Rural Communities Across America

WASHINGTON-- It has been announded by U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz (TX-27) and other officials and respective government websites (see link below this article) that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has distributed $4.8 million in funding to the 27th Congressional District of Texas from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help stimulate job growth in South Texas.

“We must continue to work for all Americans,” Ortiz said. “For our district, $625,000 in farm loans will be available from the Farm Service Agency; $1.6 million will go for rural development of water and waste treatment projects and $2.5 million will go for single family housing loans.

“We continue to see funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act reach South Texas,” Ortiz said. “Today, we learned that the unemployment rate has decreased from previous months, which is a clear indication that the stimulates package is working.”

“USDA is working to distribute Recovery Act funds to help rural Americans weather the impact of the current economic downturn while making a down payment on building communities that will thrive and compete in the 21st century,” said Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These investments reflect my shared commitment, with President Obama, to strengthening America’s rural communities.”

USDA worked quickly to announce $27.7 billion of the $28 billion that it was provided by the Recovery Act. In addition, USDA has announced $12.5 billion of the $24.9 billion in low-cost loans as authorized by the Act to help struggling rural families.

USDA Recovery Act funds are helping provide immediate assistance to those in need. The increased benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which affects 1 in 10 Americans, are providing most recipient families of four an extra $80 per month. In addition to preventing hunger, this spending acts as broad economic stimulus – as each $1 in benefits is estimated to generate $1.84 in economic activity.

In addition, USDA Recovery Act investments nationwide will:

· Expand opportunities and spur economic development with up to $9 billion in broadband loans and grants to rural communities.

· Distribute $11.2 billion to provide 80,000 home loans in rural communities.

· Provide loans and grants worth $3.6 billion to provide safe drinking water, improve wastewater treatment systems, and to create jobs and bring increased economic benefits to rural America.

· Utilize nearly $3 billion to improve, develop, and finance business, industry, and employment while improving the economic and environmental climate in rural communities.

For more information about funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, go to www.recovery.gov.