LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE USDA GRANTS

06/26/09

WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that the following organizations have been awarded Rural Business Enterprise grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Rural Development:

• Pulaski County Development Association, Mounds - $150,000 grant to construct a building to be leased to a local small business.
• Shawnee College, Ullin - $90,000 grant to purchase two semi trucks and trailers for its truck driving training program, and a $97,209 grant to purchase equipment for its aviation and HVAC sheet metal training program.
• Southern Illinois Stimulus Corporation (SISCO), Mounds - $83,640 grant to purchase equipment to be leased to a local small business.
• City of Mounds - $77,185 grant to construct a sewer line extension in a business park.

"USDA grants leverage local and state dollars to meet pressing community needs," Costello said. "These projects will enhance economic and workforce development, and are especially critical as the economy recovers."