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Dr. Ronald P. Rogers CHIROPRACTOR Support for your body's natural healing capabilities 270-384-5554 Click here for details 
  
Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
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State Rural Development Director's Report USDA Rural Development: Committed to the Future of Rural Kentucky Kenneth Slone, State Director USDA Rural Development, Kentucky 2004 was a year of achievement for Kentucky Rural Development, andPresident Bush is challenging us to do even more in 2005 -- to worktoward universal broadband access in rural America, to strengthendistance learning, telemedicine, and critical health care in ruralcommunities, and to encourage homeownership and entrepreneurship. Thegoals are high, and Rural Development has a mandate to lead. Fortunately, we don't have to start from scratch. Kentucky RuralDevelopment has a record of which we can be proud. In 2004 alone, ruralcommunities in Kentucky gained or saved over 1,000 jobs and enjoyed over$501,510,000 in new investment through Rural Development-supportedprojects. Thanks to Rural Development loans or grants 2,956 Kentuckyfamilies were able to move into new or rehabilitated homes; numerousapartment units were constructed or renovated; 88,322 families wereassisted with water and wastewater systems; 63,676 citizens in 17 ruralareas benefited from USDA Rural Development's First Responder Initiativeand other community facilities funding; and thousands more are beingserved today by new Rural Development investments in electric ortelecommunications projects. But rural America is a diverse, dynamic, and changing place. AsDirector of the Kentucky Rural Development program, I recently had theopportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with AgricultureSecretary Ann M. Veneman, Acting Under Secretary for Rural DevelopmentGilbert Gonzalez, and the other State Directors from around the countryto set goals for 2005. The challenges are clear. Rural America has significant advantages -- lower costs ofliving and a higher quality of life, affordable land for businessdevelopment and expansion, a high quality workforce, a tradition ofgrassroots initiative and community involvement. We all recognize,however, that modern communications, transportation, communityinfrastructure, and access to venture capital are the keys to unlockingthis potential. That's where USDA Rural Development comes in. President Bush has emphasized the importance of universalbroadband access for a dynamic and growing economy. Rural Developmentis one of the key agencies in making this goal a reality. For decades,Rural Development has worked to bring modern electric, water, wastewatertreatment, and telephone services to rural communities. Rural broadbandaccess today is like rural electrification in the 1930's and 40's. It'sessential to allowing rural communities to compete, it's a top priorityfor 2005, and we're going to make it happen. Similarly, access to critical medical care is a core quality oflife issue for current rural residents, a fundamental threshold questionfor new business development, and a key priority for the Bushadministration. Through our targeted support for rural hospitals andour telemedicine and first responder initiatives, Rural Development ismeeting the challenge. Finally, homeownership and entrepreneurship are at the heart ofthe President's call for an ownership society. They are also at theheart of Rural Development's historic mission. We will rely onstrategic partnerships with other federal, state, and local entities,non-profit organizations, and community lenders to leverage scarcefederal dollars into significant new investment in Kentucky ruralcommunities. It may be low interest loans to turn renters intohomeowners. It may be a loan or grant to jump start a new ruralbusiness and create more jobs. It may be support for new infrastructureneeded to attract business investment. It's all part of the RuralDevelopment mission. The numbers add up fast. Nationally, USDA Rural Development in2004 provided over $14 billion in new investment in rural utilities,housing, and business development. Since the beginning of the BushAdministration, Rural Development has invested over $50 billion tofinance and foster growth in rural America. Over 800,000 jobs havebeen created or saved through these investments. Kentucky Rural Development will continue that mission in 2005 --creating economic opportunity and improving the quality of life forrural Kentuckians -- one homeowner, one small business, one ruralcommunity at a time. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA RuralDevelopment office or by visiting USDA's web site athttp://www.rurdev.usda.gov. Rural Development Adair Office Charles J. Blankenship, Area Director 270-384-6431 Extension 5 charles.blankenship@ky.usda.gov This story was posted on 2005-01-05 09:24:00
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