As the end of a very successful Federal fiscal year approaches, Mississippi Rural Development State Director Trina N. George and her senior staff held a briefing for staff members for offices of Mississippi's Congressional delegation in the offices of USDA Rural Development in Jackson.
Participants included staff members from the offices of U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker and Congressmen Travis Childers and Bennie Thompson. Staff members were given a quick overview of our programs in the areas of Rural Housing, Rural Business, and Rural Community Programs/Rural Utilities. After the program summaries, staff members were briefed on the projects funded by our agency. This included projects that were funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).
This has been a fruitful year for USDA Rural Development in Mississippi. Staff members were told of record years in Rural Business and Rural Housing. Our Rural Business programs had a record-breaking year, investing $50 million in 62 projects that saved an estimated 521 jobs and created 363 jobs. Rural Single Family Housing, through its direct and guaranteed home loan programs, processed home loans and guarantees in Mississippi totaling $338 million as of August 31.
The floor was then opened for questions and answers and the concerns and queries of the staff members were addressed. Numerous staffers complimented State Director George and her staff on their outreach efforts during this Fiscal Year.
"As our money is appropriated from Congress, we see it as our duty to keep them informed as to what we are doing with these appropriations," said State Director George. "We wanted to especially take the opportunity to make them aware of all of the good projects that we have funded because of the Recovery Act. And, of course, we wanted to leave them with the knowledge that we are just a phone call away if they need us or have questions." For more information about USDA Rural Development programs in Mississippi click here.
