USDA funds 10 states

2/1/2012

The United States Department of Agriculture, which has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion affordable loans and loan guarantees, recently announced its intentions to provide 10 states with funds.

Via the organization's Rural Economic Development program, USDA loans will be dispersed among 10 states, piggybacking President Barack Obama's blueprint for the economy stated during the recent State of the Union address.

"The funding announced today will help support the President's vision by providing our rural communities with resources to support small businesses, improve public facilities and create new, sustainable jobs," said agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack.

Loans and grants will be available to "improve the quality of medical care" and "create of save hundreds of jobs," Vilsack added.

For instance, Red Springs, North Carolina-based Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation will receive a grant to provide financing to the Robeson County Government. This will result in improvements to the county's detention center, creating construction jobs and retaining at least 139 more within the facility.

Additions to the center's security grounds may have helped prevent an escape that took place in 2009. WRAL-TV reported inmate Jamal Antonio McRae assaulted an officer and was able to flee.