NEWS RELEASE
United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development
2118 West Park Ct., Suite A • Champaign, Illinois 61821
Phone: (217) 403-6200 • Fax: (217) 403-6243 • TDD: (217) 403-6240
Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/il
Zeigler, Illinois — Making sure that federal programs serve local communities is not as simple as it seems. Federal agencies like USDA Rural Development with offices in 12 locations work with partners all over the state to make sure federal resources get to the people they are intended to help.
Rural Development provides low cost financing and technical assistance to support growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Their partners include non-profit organizations, associations, units of local government, lenders, real estate professionals, and educational institutions.
For several years Rural Development has hung an over-sized check with the total amount dispersed the previous year on the wall at its state office in Champaign. Congressmen, employees, and even the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture have signed previous checks. “Time was past due to ask some of our partners to sign the check,” said Illinois Director for Rural Development Doug Wilson.
Rural Development staff members in each office were asked to have their local partners sign the check. “We hope to continue doing the symbolic check signing each year,” said Wilson. He proudly acknowledged and credited the commitment of the local partners for the success of the Rural Development Program.
The Rural Development Marion Illinois office chose Southern Illinois Coal Belt Champion Community (SICBCC) to sign this year’s $418 million check. “We asked Rex Duncan, Chairman of SICBCC to sign the check,” said Area Director James R. Wanstreet, “because they have been a great partner in the communities that they serve.” SICBCC is a nonprofit 501C-3 entity that serves the high poverty areas of Franklin, Perry and Williamson counties by coordinating and collaborating on economic and community development projects. SICBCC has been instrumental is accessing funding for small community projects like ambulance and police car purchases and in the start up of large regional programs such as Connect SI and regional revolving loan programs.
For more information on funds for rural projects, call the Rural Development office in Marion, Illinois at 618-993-5396, X125. Southern Illinois Coal Belt Champion Community can be contacted through their website at www.ccinvestments.org.
