SYRACUSE, N.Y. – October 6, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development agency has awarded two grants totaling $148,998 to Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. of Lowville.
The first award is a $99,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant. Snow Belt will act as the grant’s administrator and the funds will be used to purchase equipment for the wine-processing building at Tug Hill Vineyard. The second award is a Housing Preservation Grant, which Snow Belt will use to repair the homes of nine very low-income Lewis County homeowners.
“These grants will directly improve the quality of life for nine homeowners and support economic activity in the area,” said Jill Harvey, State Director for Rural Development in New York. “I congratulate Snow Belt Housing on their successful grant applications and applaud the organization’s leadership for its willingness to serve the greater Lewis County community as a grant administrator.”
Rural Business Enterprise Grants finance the development of small and emerging rural businesses. The grants may be used for project planning, land acquisition development, transportation, and infrastructure improvements, renovation or construction, equipment purchases, establishment of working capital or revolving loan funds, adult job training and technical assistance. Housing Preservation Grants help ensure that rural housing is adequate, meets current safety standards and is accessible to people with disabilities. Grants are awarded to non-profits, local governments and Native American tribes, who in turn provide loans, grants or loan/grant combinations to individuals who need home repairs.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available by calling the state office at (315) 477-6400 or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ny.
###
Media Contact:
Tim Jones (315) 477-6436
timothy.jones (at) ny.usda (dot) gov
