HomeMy WebLinkAbout20050709.tiff USDA ma
Rura�t
Development
United States Department of Agriculture
Rural Development
February 2005
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the employees at Rural Development in Colorado, I am proud to
highlight the various projects and programs that were funded in our annual report.
This past year, we have seen significant growth in homeownership and creativity
from many entrepreneurs. Our goal is advancing many opportunities for
Coloradoans to improve their quality of life.
Loans and grants may be our business; however the success of our projects is seen
through our strong partnerships and allies which help us with technical assistance
and outreach. Families, non-profits, and rural businesses all benefited from our
programs in the amount of$108 million dollars statewide and an additional $300
million dollars was expended in electric infrastructure.
We look forward to expanding our outreach and stretching every tax dollar we
receive to accomplish our goals because USDA Rural Development is
committed to the future of rural communities.
h. et/7 t
GIGI ENNIS
State Director
655 Parfet Street Room E-100 •Lakewood,CO 80215 • (720)544-2904 •(720)544-2981 FAX
Colorado Relay(800)659-3656 • www.rurdev.usda.gov/co/index.html
Committed to the future of rural communities
Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender,Provider,and Employer.Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA,
eearkut n >s� Director,Office of Civil Rights,Washington,D.C. 20250-9410
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Agriculture Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development Y.
Gilbert Gonzalez •
Citizens and community leaders throughout rural American share a
common desire to bring economic opportunity and an improved quality C
tr•
of life to their community. There is a remarkable cohesiveness among
rural citizens that allows the energy and enthusiasm of local citizens to
harness the resources needed to bring solutions to economic and social
issues facing their communities. 4
Today, more Americans than ever are realizing their dream of becoming
a homeowner. Bringing stability to families,neighborhoods and
increasing personal family wealth through building of financial equity in their future. I am
proud to say that 20 percent of the first-time homeowners receiving financing this year are
minority families.
We are committed to aggressively working to help families, communities and businesses build
the basic community infrastructure, help create more local jobs and gain access to educational
and health care services and technologies that allow them to be better prepared to compete in a
global environment.
While we have accomplished much,we know that more must be done to assist more families,
businesses,and communities benefit from the financing and technical assistance USDA Rural
Development provides.That is why [unveiled this year a new education and outreach effort
designed to ensure everyone in rural areas know what assistance is available to help them
achieve their economic goals and improve their quality of life. Simply put,USDA Rural
Development is the sole government agency that can build rural communities from the ground
up.
To date,the Bush Administration,through USDA Rural Development,has invested$50 billion
to help create or save over 800,000 jobs. We have a team of dedicated professionals capable
and ready to work with you to improve the quality of life in rural Colorado. I encourage you to
contact your local or state office in Colorado to learn more about how USDA Rural
Development can help improve the quality of life and increase the economic opportunity in
your community.
USDA .
Rural `�"
Development
Pictured on Cover: A group of homeowners building their homes through the Mutual Self Help Housing
Program in Cortez, CO:Gigi Dennis, State Director and children from the Park Avenue Preschool in Canon City;
and Lt. Governor Jane Norton and Gigi Dennis present representatives from the Rocky Mountain SER Jobs for
Progress, Inc. in Conjeos, CO with a ceremonial community facility grant check.
State Director for USDA Rural Development
Gigi Dennis
"Committed to the future of rural communities"Sounds
simple, yet these seven words have become the cornerstone for
USDA Rural Development.
This past February,Ann Veneman, Secretary of Agriculture,and
Gil Gonzalez,Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development,
unveiled the most dramatic definition our agency has seen. Our
new brand reflects the nature of our missionary: a house, a
building,and a water tower, along with the landscape of
agriculture.
The purpose of this brand is to reemphasize to the public the expanding circle of programs Rural
Development offers. We are focused on helping communities thrive. With our partners and
dedicated employees, we are guiding the process in creating economic prosperity to families of
all shapes and sizes, minorities, non-profits,and municipalities.
In Colorado, we have seen the results of our efforts. We are celebrating our best year yet in
providing housing,infrastructure,job creation,as well as grants towards technical assistance,
community facilities,renewable energy, value-added production, and distance learning/
telemedicine. Some $108 million in grants and loans have impacted the lives of our citizens.
Over the last 4 years, under President George W. Bush, some $1.2 billion has been invested in
rural Colorado!
This annual report reflects celebrations, successes, and the hopes and ideas of so many people
who have invested time, money, and effort in developing these dreams into reality.
If you have any questions regarding Rural Development's programs,please contact any one of
our offices and we will be happy to help. We are "Committed to the future of rural
communities".
Gigiis
State Director
*********************************************
We're meeting the challenges to America. We're strengthening our economy...And we're not going to
leave our work half-finished. We'll press on to turn our recovery into lasting growth and opportunity
that this great nation will prosper:"
George W.Bush,January 7,2003,Strengthen America's Economy address
R .J RAL � .
HOUSING
;-
The Rural Housing Program A grdup of homeowners .
provides rural Coloradoans with build their own home,
funding for single family homes, with construction techni-
apartments for very low and low cal assistance from a non-
income persons/families or the profit organization(spon-
elderly,housing for farm work- sor)funded by the USDA Ribbon cutting for newly completed Mutual
ers,and much more. Rural Development's Mutual Self Help homes in Steamboat Springs,CO
Self Help Technical Assistance Inc.,North East Colorado Hous-
In Fiscal Year 2004,$76,624,897 Grant Program. ing,Inc.,Regional Affordable
was invested in Colorado
Living Foundation,Tri County
through Rural Development's Homeowners contribute an Housing,Inc.,and the Upper
Single Family and Multi Family average of 900 hours towards Arkansas Area Council of Gov-
Housing Programs. the building process and upon emments.
completion,end up with an and
Rural Home Loan Partnerships
The Single Family Housing average amount of$10,000-
Program is comprised of the $15,000 in equity already built Community Financial
following programs:Guaranteed into their home. Institution Partnerships
Home Loans,Mutual Self Help
Housing Loans,Mutual Self
The organizations currently 47 Loans - $4,724,369
Help Technical Assistance administering this program in
Colorado e: Colorado Hous- The Rural Home Loan Partner-
ar
Grants and Site Loans,Rural ship and Community Develop-
Home Loan Com-Partnerships, ing Inc.,the Colorado Rural
ment Financial Institution pro-
munity Development Financial Housing Development Corp.,
Gunnison County Housing grams work with approved non-
Institution Partnerships,Direct
profit organization to leverage
Home Loans,and Home Repair Authority,Housing Resources,
Grants and Loans.
Fiscal Year 2004 Rural Housing
Six hundred seventy nine indi- Program Funding - $76,624,897
viduals/famihes became
homeowners in Fiscal Year 2004 502 Other Direct Loans $11,526,412
through the direct and guaran- Mutual Self Help Housing Loans $ 9,099,111
teed home loan programs alone. 502 RHLP/CDFI Loans $ 4,724,369
Mutual Self Help Technical
Assitance Grant Program $ 1,564,876
l Self Help Guaranteed Loan Progran $44,790,110
ere—
Housing
263,455
t. ' 84 Loans - $9,099,111 Home Repair Loan Program $
Home Repair Grant Program $ 277,734
The Mutual Self Help Housing Natural Disaster Grant Program $ 50,165
I
I Program,part of the Direct
Home Loan Program,offers very Rural Rental Housing Program - Rehab $ 1,124,300
low and low income applicants Farm Labor Housing Loan Program $ 1,850,000
the opportunity to build their Farm Labor Housing Grant Program $ 1,300,000
own,using sweat equity in lieu Housing Preservation Grant Program $ 54,365
of a down payment.
i
i
-R U RA L
Nor>E.
HOUSINGIMPROVEMENT
(1 (''�
loans with local lenders to existing,but must be modest in Illl WIll11TS purchase or build affordable cost. New manufactured homes i
housing throughout rural com- are also acceptable.There is no
munities in Colorado. mortgage limit and no down Irene Martinez and her disabled
payment is required. daughter have lived in their home in
In Fiscal Year 2004,USDA Rural Cortez, Colorado for i8 years.
Development partnered with Congratulations to our top four Martinez, a widow, lives on a fixed
income and any home maintenance
Colorado Housing Assistance originating guaranteed lenders in projects had been postponed for
Corp.,Colorado Housing Enter- Fiscal Year 2004:Equitable several years. Now her home is in
prises,Inc.,Mercy Housing Savings and Loan,First Mort- need of drastic repairs.
Southwest,and Prairie Develop- gage Corp.,Wells Fargo Bank/
ment Corp.,to help buy,build, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Martinez was experiencing high
repair,or rehabilitate 47 homes in and Rocky Mountain Mortgage heating costs during the winter
Colorado. Specialists. months, which stretched her already
Other Direct Hone Loans Home Repair Loans thin budget. Her roof was in major
t" 126 Loans - $11,526,412 and Grants disrepair and there were open leaks
27 Loans - $263,455 where water would run into the
t house each time it rained. The
48 Grants - $277,734 windows in the front portion of the
A Direct Home Loan can be home were also damaged. They
made to very low and low in- were loose and falling away from
• come applicants for up to 100% Very low income homeowners the frame. The gap was so
of market value or cost. Appli- are eligible for assistance through significant that a person could
cants must not be able to acquire the Home Repair Loan and Grant actually stick a finger through the
conventional financing and these Program. Funding is available to cracks to the outside.
loans do not require a down help remove health and/or safety
payment. hazards and repair their homes. Martinez contacted Housing
r--. Eligibility is also contingent that
Solutions of the Southwest in Cortez
Guaranteed Home Loans applicantsmustowntheirhome about funding to have her home
t 8 419 Loans - $44,790,110 and cannot obtain conventional repaired to improve heat retention.
Through a partnership with Rural
financing. Development she was able to
USDA Rural Development can receive grant funds for the repairs.
guarantee loans made by Loan terms are at 1%up to 20
approved mortgage lenders in years and cannot exceed$20,000. Insulation was installed in the attic
Colorado.Families/individuals of Grants are available to applicants where there previously was an
moderate income or less are 62 years or older,with limited inadequate amount.
eligible to apply. Eligibility is income,and the maximum
based on the family's adjusted lifetime grant amount of$7,500. Martinez was also able to replace
income and cannot exceed 115% her roof and completely enclose
of the median income for their the attic, ensuring that no moisture
area. could drain into the home.
Homes financed through this Rural Development also replaced
program can either be new or
the windows in the front of the
house. New frames and double
1iii
paned glass were installed,
sealing the home from a major
loss of heat.
During the final inspection of Brian,
Martinez's home, she noted that Thomas,
she could already tell a difference Connor,,
in the temperature in her home. ° Ruth, Liam,
She would not have been able to and Gretchen
get her home fully repaired Orr at their
without the collaborative effort �-<. ` home in
provided by both USDA Rural Walsenburg,
Development and Housing
. room CO.
Solutions of the Southwest. _
laiAttaining the Dream:Homeownership
After renting the same house Foster, Rural Development
a ` in Walsenburg for 12 years, Loan Specialist, in the Las
* Gretchen Orr and her family Animas Office about her
.. never thought they would
9 be experience.
able to afford a place of their
I _ own to call home. However, "Nicky we thank you again SO
through the USDA Rural SO much for everything you
Development 5O2 Direct have done for us. This is just a
.
Home Loan Program, the dream come true for us. We
family of six has now attained would never have imagined we
their dream, homeownership. could someday own such a
Riti . ,:t., spa ' wonderful home. Your
The family recently moved program is fabulous- really
into a five bedroom, one and a makes a wonderful difference
Pictures of Irene Martinez's half bath, home in in the lives of your clients,"-
windows, before (top) and after Walsenburg, CO. Gretchen Gretchen Orr.
(bottom). recently wrote to Nicky
USDA Rural Development's Five Star Commitment To Expand
Rural Minority Homeownership
* *Lowering Fees To Reduce Barriers to Minority Homeownership
*Doubling the Number of Self-Help Participants By 2010
*Increasing Participation by Minority Lenders through Outreach
* Promoting Credit Counseling and Homeownership Education
*Monitoring Lending Activities to Ensure 10% Increase In
Minority Homeownership
In Fiscal Year 2004,an all time record high of 76.1%homeownership in rural areas was evidence that
USDA Rural Development programs are working.Nationwide,over 170,000 families have attained their
dream of homeownership.
EI ° LJSIII4IG a yrt , ,
The Multi Family Housing , ,t��
_
Program helps provide adequate irect Rural Rental ' `�-
rental housing in rural areas for A s' ousing Program � �
Salida Apartments, Multi Faintly Housing
people with low or moderate $1,124,300 Complex of the Year
I incomes.
The Direct Rural Rental Housing Farm Labor !lousing
The Multi Family Housing Pro- Loan 515 Program provides eobc
�� Loan and Grant
gram consists of the Rural Rental funding for new construction or 4. a Program
Housing Program,Guaranteed rehabilitation of existing 515 $3,150,000
Rural Rental Housing Program, apartment developments. Providing farm workers and their
Farm Labor Housing Program,and families with decent,safe,and
the Housing Preservation Program. Northeast Colorado sanitary housing is the focus of
Housing, Inc. the Farm Labor Housing Loan
USDA Rural Development Fort Morgan Townhomes and Grant Program.
I maintains 4,154 units of affordable Fort Morgan, CO
$320
I housing for elderly,individuals/ '000 This year Colorado received a
families,and farm workers in Grand County Housing $1,700,000 loan and$1,300,000
Colorado. Authority grant for Catholic Charities to
Grand Living Solar
Development build a new 42 unit development
In Fiscal Year 2004,Colorado Granby,CO in Gilcrest,CO.
utilized$4,328,665 through Rural $95,000
Rental Housing Direct and North Avenue The Lamar Housing Authority
Guaranteed Loans,Farm Labor Apartments, LLLP also received a$150,000 loan for
Housing Loans and Grants,and North Avenue Apartments Emerald Homes Farm Labor
Housing Preservation Grants. Trinidad,CO Housing in Lamar.
$97,500 Housing Preservation
Guaranteed Rural Antonito Housing Grant
,Rental Housing Partnership $54,365
Guadalupe Hacienda Apartments
The Guaranteed Rural Rental Antonito,CO Funding to help to correct
Housing Loan Program is designed $57,600 access,health,and safety related
to present commercial lenders with Antonito Housing issues and to alleviate
an incentive to develop and/or Partnership, II overcrowding in existing homes
repair rental apartments for tenants Gomez Manor Apartments and rental units is provided
whose income is 115%above the Antonito,CO through the Housing
area income. Each year,a Notice $59'200 Preservation Grant Program.
of Funding Availability(NOFA)is Grand Mesa Apartments
Fruita,CO
published identifying the Two grants were awarded in
$375,000
requirements and necessary West Routt Housing Fiscal Year 2004 for$27,183
documentation needed to apply. each to the Northwest Council of
Hayden, CO
The NOFA website is $120 000 Governments(NWCOG)and to
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. the Huerfano/Las Animas
Council of Governments(COG)
for$27,182.
I
P __________
BUSINESS &
COMMUNITY
•
PROGRAMS
USDA Rural Development first high-volume commercial
partners with local economic bio-diesel blending terminal in Dan Mortensen -Alta Fuels, Jeff Probst-
organizations such as banks, Alamosa,CO in the fall of 2004. Blue Sun, Gigi Dennis, State Director, and
lenders,economic development Rural Development funding will Representative Lewis Entz cut the ribbon for
Alta Fuel's Biodiesel plant in Alamosa, CO
groups,cities,counties,tribes, be used to assist with the The rants he foster rural
and utility cooperatives through construction of a state of the art g p
our Business and Community bio-diesel production facility, cooperative development
BCP Pro ram.
which will be
co-located with the through projects that provide
( ) g
terminal in Alamosa
rural residents with education
In Fiscal Year 2004, $41,546,049 and technical assistance in areas
Rural Cooperative of cooperative start-up,
was utilized for rural Colorado Development Grant
through the BCP Program. marketing and managing,and iii.g g Program other self-help tools.The RMFU
Business & Industry $300,000 will utilize the cooperative
Guranteed Loan Throughout the United States, development grant funding to
Program over 120 million people are provide technical assistance to
$21,332,500 members of 48,000 cooperatives. emerging and existing
This year,Rural Development Cooperatives play a vital role in cooperatives in Colorado,New
was fortunate to fund the largest the communities they are located Mexico,and Wyoming.
Business and Industry Loan in in and often their success can Intermediary Relending
the state's history for$16.5 determine a town's future. Program
million. The loan was made to USDA Rural Development is ■�� $250,000
the Colorado Housing and committed to the future of these
Finance Authority for the rural communities by striving to Capitalizing on locally run
promote the understanding of revolving loan programs for
Durango uge &Silverton Narrow
Gauge Railroad. using cooperatives as a business small businesses which are
opportunity to market and unable to obtain adequate bank
Colorado also funded an
distribute agricultural products. financing is the goal of the
Intermediary Relending
aTY
additional$4,832,500 in Pro ram.
Business and Industry In Fiscal Year 2004,the Rocky g
Guaranteed Loans across the Mountain Farmers Union
Region 9 Economic
state. received a Rural Cooperative Re g
Development DevelopmentDistrictof
Ivin Renewable Program
Energy p Southwest Colorado received a
Grant Program $300,000. These grants,
$500,000 awarded on a competitive basis, $250,000 Intermediary
are on ongoing effort by the Relending Program(IRP)Loan
Blue Sun Biodiesel,received Bush Administration to increase from Rural Development in
Colorado's first Renewable economic opportunities in rural Fiscal Year 2004. The entity
Energy Systems/Energy areas. promotes and coordinates
Efficiency Improvements economic development in
Program Grant for$500,000. Archuleta,Dolores,La Plata,
The entity opened the country's Montezuma,and San Juan
I BUSINESS &
SY
COMMUNITYi =ia ,,,,..,.
kyA
PROGRAMS
Counties in Colorado and will The San Luis Valley
loan the funds to ultimate Development Resources Group Pictured: Chris Voigt - Executive Director;
recipients for business received a$40,000 grant to Gigi Dennis, State Director, Board Members
facilities or community develop a comprehensive Segundo Diaz and Keith Holland, CO Potato
development. business plan for an Admin. Committee, and Peter Thomas,
eCOnOmieall viableente rises Business & Cooperative Prog. Administrator
Rural Business y markets for agriculturally based
Enterprise Grant Program in the San Luis Valley.
products is the cornerstone for
$436,282
The Rocky Mountain Farmers USDA Rural Development's
$436,282 in Rural Business Union received a grant for Value Added Producer Grant
Enterprise Grant(RBEG) $73,799 to provide focused (VADG)Program.
funding was awarded this year to technical assistance to new
six entities. cooperative market places In Fiscal Year 2004,Colorado
opening along the Front Range. received$169,375 in funding for
The Costilla County Economic the Value Added Program.
Development Council and Value Added Producer
Costilla County received a The Wray Wind Farmer Group
Grant Program received a$128,000 grant. The
$150,000 grant to purchase $169,375
necessary equipment to produce group,consisting of 23 indepen-
• bio-diesel fuel from canola seed. Encouraging farmers and ran- dent agricultural producers from
chers to increase their economic three families in the Wray area,
The San Luis Valley Resource opportunities through the devel- will use the grant funding to con-
and Conservation Development opment of new products and duct a feasibility study for a
District received a$99,700
RBEG to purchase cooling Fiscal Year 2004 Business & Community
equipment and to fund a Programs Funding - $41,546,049
marketing study for local Business&Industry Guaranteed Loans $21,332,500
producers. Renewable Energy Systems/Energy
Effiicency Improvements $ 500,000
The Colorado Cooperative Rural Cooperative Development Grant $ 300,000
Council,Inc.,received a grant Intermediary Relending Program $ 250,000
for$27,783 to prepare a Rural Business Enterprise Grants $ 436,282
feasibility study for the Value Added Producer Grants $ 169,375
Producers Coop in Olathe,CO Water and Waste Loans $ 5,364,515
The Leadville Institute of Water and Waste Grants $ 4,141,337
Solid Waste Management Grants $ 51,263
Science and Technology in Community Facility Loans $ 7,710,000
Leadville,received a$27,393 Community Facility Grants $ 437,732
grant to complete a feasibility Rural Cooperative Home-based
study for a hydrogen production/ Demonstration Grant Program $ 50,000
fuel cell pilot facility. Distance Learning &Telemedicine
Grant Program $ 452,154
7_ BUSINESS & "
COMMUNITY
„b,
PROGRAMS
farmer owned wind generation Six entities received water and Thomas C. Dorr, Senior Advisor to U.S.
project. waste loan and grant funding for Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman
presents a child care grant in Trinidad, CO
projects 1ntLlelrCOmmu[I1heS:
Community Facility
The group hopes to increaseL
Deer Trail L and Grant
value to their existing famting Program
and livestock operations by $717,000(L)$1,000,000(G) $8,147,732
adding a new business entity, Town of Aguilar
which will generate a profit by $1,226,500(L), $508,850(G) The USDA Rural Development
selling power generated from on- Town of Wiley Community Facility Program is
farm wind. $400,000(L),$739,000(G) designed to develop essential
Model Water community facilities for public use
The Colorado Potato Adminis- $101,000(L), $302,000(G) in rural areas.
trative Committee in Monte Agate Water
Vista,CO received a$41,375 $97,600(L), $75,000(G) The communities facilities
grant.Funding will allow the Rocky Ford Water program utilizes three flexible
Colorado Potato Administrative $2,822,415 (L), $1,506,487 (G) financial tools to achieve this goal:
Committee to perform a feasibil- Brandon Water Association guaranteed loans,direct loans,and
ity study on deriving starch from $10,000 Pre-development Grant grants.
off-grade potatoes to reduce the
level of cash loss to farmers due In Fiscal Year 2004,$8,147,732
to the costs of transporting and solid 'taste Management was used for these programs in
disposing of off-grade potatoes. Grant Program Colorado. Thirty loans and grants
$51,263 were funded for the following
entities:
linter and Waste Loan Solid Waste Management Grants
W.
and Grant Program are also available through Rural Park Avenue Preschool
$9,557,115 Development for nonprofit in Canon City
organizations to provide technical $509,000 (L), $10,000(G)
In Fiscal Year 2004, $9,547,115 assistance and training to assist The Pinon Project in Cortez
in funding was utilized under the rural communities with their $18,000(G)
Water and Waste Program. The water,wastewater,and solid Limon Child Development
program provides grants,direct waste problems. Center in Limon
loans,and loan guarantees for $300,000(L), $50,000(G)
drinking water,sanitary sewer, Two Solid Waste Management Custer County Family
solid waste and storm drainage Grants(SWMG)were awarded in in Westchffe
facilities in rural areas and cities Fiscal Year 2004 for$51,263. $7,725(G)
and towns of 10,000 or less. Fisher's Peak YMCA
Public bodies,non-profit organi- Town of Oak Creek in Trinidad
zations and recognized Indian $22,263 Grant $7,000(G)
tribes may qualify for this type Ute Mountain Tribe
of assistance. $29,000 Grant
I
BUSINESS & , ,
COMMUNITY
I
PROGRAMS %; '
South Central Council of Kiowa County Staff and children from the Limon Child
Development with Rural Development checks.
Governments $1,250,000(Guarnateed L)
in Trinidad $1,000,000(L) The foundation will utilize the
$46,220(G) Grover Regional Library funding to establish a cooperative
Southern Colorado Rocky $5,000(G)
through the foundation and its
Mountain SER in Trinidad Town of Walsh
$11,965 (G) $11,830(G) affiliate,the Western Slope
Forum,to use telemedicine
Conejos Rocky Mountain SER Hanover Fire Protection devices to monitor patients with
$33,000(G) District
of Mancos $25,000(G) chronic heart failure.The tele-
Town health technology is available to
$25,000(G) Dove Creek Ambulance monitor and manage the patient's
Windsor Charter School $25,000(G) risk factors remotely,with
$2,500,000(Guaranteed L) Dove Creek Fire Protection minimal training to the patient and to
Community Connections $25,000(G)
transmit data to a central
in Durango Artesia Fire Protection location where it is reviewed by
$3,755 (G) $25,000(G) health care professionals.
San Juan Historical Society Montezuma County Housing
$10,000(G) Authority
Washington County Nursing $50,000(L) W.
Facility in Akron $452,154
$6,090(G) Cooperative
Town of Miff Home-Based The Distance Learning and
$12,700(G) Demonstration Telemedicine(DLT)Grant Pro-
Upper Arkansas Area Council Program gram supports the development
of Governments in Canon City $50,000 and deployment of advanced
$700,000(L) telemedicine and distance sys-
Town of Eckley Helping community tems in rural areas.
$15,960(G) organizations establish and
Valley Citizen's Foundation in operate home-based health care
Y In Fiscal Year 2004,the East
Del Norte cooperatives is the goal of the
Central Board of Cooperative
$25,000(G) USDA Rural Development Education Services(BOCES)
Town of San Luis Cooperative Home-based received a$452,154 DLT grant.
$725,000(L) Demonstration Program. The grant will be used for the
Montrose County Fiber 515 Project,which will
$3,575 (G) The Rocky Mountain Health allow 6000 students in 19 school
Tenderfoot Child & Family Foundation in Grand Junction districts to have access to an
Center in Gunnison received a$50,000 pre- advanced network infrastructure
$625,000(L), $25,000(G) planning grant in Fiscal Year for advance placement,foreign
2004. language,and ag/vocational
educational coursework.
7
USDA CELEBRATES
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
i i
Yyr Y. Y I irr • /iii(tt7,. z
d
Lt.Governor Jane Norton joined reconstruct a garage for
Gigi Dennis,State Director, their fire truck,which
USDA Rural Development,and was donated by the
Paul Cooke,Director,Colorado district
Division of Fire Safety at the
Colorado Springs Fire The Dove Creek
Department Headquarters to Volunteer Fire
declare October 3—9, 2004 as Department,in
Fire Prevention Week. Dolores County,
received a$25,000 ,,,,,,S.-.-- .
Colorado has approximately 391 grant to help purchase "`
fire departments statewide,with afire ,
truck,which they will '
over 15,000 firefighters.USDA - �we¢s
Rural Development is able to leverage with
support these small,rural $140,000 in grants that they
communities through the already have.
President's First Responders $11,830 to purchase portable
Initiative,which builds on They also received a$25,000 radio equipment and a mobile air
strengthening the existing grant for their ambulance service
compressor which can be used to
capabilities at the Federal,State, (pictured above),which will be
recharge a firefighter's breathing
and local level. combined with approximately
$113,000 in funds from apparatus.
Under the Bush Administration, community fund raising,the i • s` ''a . 't
y.
USDA invested nearly$740 Colorado EMS Council,and ", ;
million in loans and grant funds volunteer labor to purchase an
to assist rural communities with ambulance.
first responders needs
nationwide.In Fiscal Year 2004 The Hanover Volunteer Fire a
ii
alone$22 million was dedicated Department,in El Paso County, .,,..•.
to first responders projects. received a$25,000 grant to assist
in the repair of their fire station. B
The Artesia Fire Protection Chief Carl Tatum, Hanover Fire
District,in Moffat County, The Town of Walsh,in Baca Department receives a ceremonial grant
check for$25,000 from Gigi Dennis,
received a$25,000 grant to County,also received a grant for
State Director, and Colorado Lt.
Governor Jane Norton
Washington , DC Visits
Rural Colorado
Thomas C.Dorr,Senior Advisor toU.S. Secretary ofAgricul- • .p
ture,Ann Veneman,was the keynote luncheon speaker at the
" Colorado Rural Development Council Conference(CRDC),
f
I f "Rural Communities: The Heart of Colorado". The event was
held in Longmont and was hosted by the CRDC and the
• Colorado Rural Health Council. Colorado Commissioner of
Agriculture Don Ament was awarded the Trailblazer of the
Year Award by the Council.Continuing his visit,Don joined State Director,Gigi Dennis,on a tour of Rural Devel-
opment projects in the Southern part of the state.Don-met with Mountain View Harvest Cooperative Directors and
toured Gerard's Bakery, in Longmont,CO,presented three child care facility grants to
the Southern Colorado Head Start,the Huerfano/Las Animas Council of Governments,
and the Fishers Peak YMCA in Trinidad,presented the Mayor of Aguilar with a$1.7 Er
:`
million ceremonial check for their water and waste project,and was the keynote lun-
cheon speaker at the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce(COC).
Pictured top left: Dorr, Gigi Dennis, and Commissioner Don Ament, top right Dorr,
Sandy Edens, Rural Development Engineer, and Shelly Sarrell, San Isabel Electric Asso-
ciation, Inc. in Pueblo West viewing a demonstration of a wind monitoring system, and bottom right Dorr speaking
with Bob Wiley of Boone at Greater Pueblo COC Luncheon. (July 2004)
Curtis Anderson,Deputy Administrator for USDA Rural Development,Rural
Utilities Service presented the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union(RMFU)with a
• ' - # 4'a., check for a$300,000 Rural Cooperative Development Grant and a$73,799 Rural
t Fir Business Enterprise Grant.
y i
Pictured at left Holding the check are Anderson, Scott Thayer, Director,
Business & Community Programs, Leroy Cruz, Area Director, Dennis, Dyan del
Gaudo, Market Manager, Colorado Farm and Art Market, Thomas McCracken,
Tres Rios Cooperative, and RMFU Staff Ben Way, Executive Director, Bob
Mailander, Director, Rocky Mtn Cooperative Development Center, and Dan Hobbs,
Cooperative Development Specialist.(September 2004).
Rural Development employees from the Western United States met
. ' ` in Denver,CO in July 2004 for one of two National Policy Meetings.
]jam Several different training sessions were held during the week long
conference.
Pictured left: Acting Under Secretary Gil Gonzalez, Housing Pro-
grams Administrator Russell T. Davis, Utilities Programs Administra-
tor; Hilda Gay Legg, and Business and Cooperative Programs
Administrator; Peter J. Thomas.
1
Washington , DC Visits
Rural Colorado
Peter Thomas,Administrator for USDA Rural
, Development's business programs joined
<` Colorado's USDA Rural Development state
' r director Gigi Dennis to present Wray Farmer
►w4. x! I Owned Group representatives with a $128,000
r' •e' I I Value Added Producer Grant.
Pictured at left: Kenneth Helling, Jim Lenz, Peter
Thomas, Bill Cure, Gigi Dennis, State Director, and r
Becky Lenz, with a $41,375 Value Added Producer Grant Ceremonial check for the
Wray Wind Farmer Owned Group in Wray, CO. (October 2004)
In October 2004, USDA Rural Development and the Colorado Council for
Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH) sponsored the 2004 Multi Family Housing
gill Conference in Colorado Springs,CO. This year's theme was"Working Together for
Success". Larry Anderson, Multi Family Housing Specialist from the National
": Office was a guest speaker at the event and discussed the new regulations covering
the Multi Family Housing Program.
goo
Pictured left: Don Pierce, Rural Housing Director, presents Betty Adams, of Salida
Apartments with Complex of the Year 2003 at the conference. (October 2004).
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell,joined Acting _
Under Secretary Gil Gonzalez in Durango to present a
7" ceremonial check to the Durango Silverton Narrow
Gauge Railroad for$16.5 million fora Business and
Industry Loan. Gonzalez also presented four other
entities with ceremonial checks totaling$295,000. c a '* -, t"
Community Connections,Inc.,in Durango,received a
a$10,000 Community Facility Grant;the San Juan
Historical Society,in Silverton,received a$10,000 Community Facility Grant;the Town of Mancos
received a$25,000 Community Facility Grant to assist in the renovation of the community center,and.
Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado received a
$250,000 Intermediary Relending Program(IRP)Loan.
Pictured from top left to right: Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Under Secretary
Gonzalez; Senator Jim Isgar, Steve Johnson, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority;
fi Scott Thayer, USDA Rural Development Business and Community Programs Director,
t!Q Sue McWilliams, USDA Rural Development Western Area Director, and Al Harper,
Owner, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad;and Ed Morlan and Paul
Broderick, from Region 9 accept a ceremonial check from Gigi Dennis, State Director; and Under Secretary
Gonzalez. (October 2004).
Colorado Field & State
Office Locations
www.rurdev.usda.gov/co/index.html
State Office
655 Parfet Street, Room E-100,
Lakewood, CO 80125
(720) 544-2903 Fax (720) 544-2969
Western Area Offices Eastern Area Offices
Alamosa Office Canon City Office
2205 State Street,Alamosa,CO 81101 248 Dozier Avenue,Canon City,CO 81212
(719) 589-5661 Fax (719) 589-0515 (719) 275-4465 Fax (719) 275-3019
Serving Alamosa,Conejos,Costilla,Mineral, Serving Chaffee,Custer,El Paso,Fremont,
Rio Grande,and Saguache Counties Lake,Park,Pueblo,Summit and Teller Counties
Cortez Office Greeley Office
628 West 5th Street, Cortez, CO 81321 4302 W. 9th Street Road, Greeley, CO 80634
(970) 565-8416 Fax (970) 565-8797 (970) 356-8097 Fax (970) 351-0392
Serving Archuleta, Dolores, LaPlata, Montezuma, Serving Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear
San Juan, and San Miguel Counties Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin,
Jefferson, Larimer,and Weld Counties
Craig Office Las Animas Office
356 Ranney Street,Craig,CO 81625 760 Bent Ave., Las Animas, CO 81054
(970) 824-3476 Fax (970) 824-7055 (719) 456-0120 Fax (719) 456-00491
Serving Grand,Jackson,Moffat,Rio Blanco, Serving Baca, Bent, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa,
and Routt Counties Las Animas, Otero, and Prowers Counties
Delta Office Wray Office
690 Industrial Blvd P.O. Box 405, 247 Clay Street, Suite #2,
Delta, CO 81416-2812 Wray, CO 80758
(970) 874-5735 Fax (970) 874-0352 (970) 332-3107 Fax (970) 332-9801
Serving Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Gunnison, Serving Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan,
Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington
Pitkin Counties and Yuma Counties
The U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA)prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,color,national
origin,sex,religion,age.disability,political beliefs,sexual orientation,or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all
programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information(Braille,large print,
audiotape,etc.)should contact USDA's TARGET Center at(202)720-2600(voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination,write:
USDA. Director,Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W,Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave.SW,Washington,D.C. 20250-9410 or
call(202)720-5964(voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
USDA
Dura��
Development
Colorado Rural Development
655 Parfet Street, Room E-100
Lakewood, CO 80215
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/co/index.html
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