Rural Development Seeking Applications For Rural Community Development Initiative

Morgantown, WV – June 26, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) – Acting State Director Dianne Goff Crysler announces that USDA Rural Development has over $6 Million of competitive grant funds available for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program. Applicants must provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development.

Eligible applicants include qualified private, nonprofit, including faith-based and community organizations in accordance with 7 CFR part 16, and public (including tribal) intermediary organizations.

The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 PM, September 24, 2009. Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the application requirements from the RCDI web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm, contact the West Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office at 75 High Street, Room 320, Morgantown, WV 26505-7500; telephone (304) 284-4864; fax (304) 284-4893; TTY/TDD (304) 284-4836; or find further information in The Federal Register at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-15128.htm

Rural Development serves as the lead Federal entity for rural development needs and administers program assistance through its housing, business & cooperative, community, and utilities programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Further information on USDA Rural Development may be obtained by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. In West Virginia, call 1-800-295-8228 to be put in touch with the appropriate personnel serving your county. 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).

Gail Bennett, Public Affairs Specialist – (304) 284-4875