Click to return to the home page.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
NELSON: $147,800 IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR RURAL PROJECTS

July 28, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that Nebraska will receive $147,800 to start or expand rural businesses and to fund employment-related education programs.  The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“These stimulus funds are an investment in Nebraska’s economy,” said Nelson.  “These projects will get people back on the job now and will set the stage for growth by educating future generations.”

Nebraska will receive five grants: $75,000 to the village of Cody, $50,000 to the Arnold Economic Development Corporation, $8,800 to the Loup City Public Schools, $7,000 to the Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schools, and $7,000 to the Bloomfield Community Schools.

The funding is being is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Enterprise Program (RBEG), which helps finance new and existing businesses as well as employment-related adult education programs.   RBEG funds can be used for start-up and working capital loans, building and plant renovations, transportation improvements, project planning and other business needs.

According to USDA, Loup City Public Schools has been selected to receive an $8,800 grant to install a 1.8 kilowatt wind turbine on the school site to educate students on the importance of wind as an alternative energy source.  Students will gain knowledge on wind energy as well as learn about career opportunities in the alternative energy field and wind energy’s role in the economic future of rural America.    Loup City Public Schools is one of the first six school jurisdictions in Nebraska to partner with the National Renewable Energy Lab’s Wind for Schools program.

Senator Nelson played a key role in the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill. He worked with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 Senators to better focus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on tax cuts for the middle class and job creation for millions of Americans. Senator Nelson led the group through the initial bill line by line, dollar by dollar, to reduce spending and cut out $108 billion of inefficient or less-stimulative spending. The bipartisan group helped the improved bill win congressional approval. President Obama signed it into law February 17, 2009.
 
Senator Nelson is posting information about the release of stimulus finds on his website as it becomes available.  Visit http://bennelson.senate.gov/feature_4.cfm for more information.

###

Search:   Rural Affairs, Press