Caldwell, Riggins, Eastern Idaho To Receive Rural Development Grants

Washington, DC â?? Caldwell, Riggins, and communities in Eastern Idaho will all benefit from three Department of Agriculture rural development grants, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced today. According to figures released by the USDA Rural Development Project, the Caldwell Housing Authority, City of Riggins, Eastern Idaho Development Corporation, and the Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency will all benefit from the awards.â??This money coming to Idaho means more support for economic opportunity and improving the quality of life of rural residents,â?? Crapo said. â??Economic diversification and small business expansion are key in our rural areas, and these funds will provide the critical resources necessary to achieve these ends.â??·The Caldwell Housing Authority will receive a Farm Labor Housing Rehabilitation Grant for $360,000. This money will be used to improve the community center, upgrade playground equipment, replace sewer lines to part of the complex, and perform repairs. Installation of permanent restrooms at the soccer field and more security cameras around the complex will also be completed. ·The City of Riggins was awarded a Rural Business Opportunity Grant for $47,000. These funds will be used for economic diversification and small business expansion. The project will seek to find ways to assist or add value to existing businesses and to create new business opportunities.·The Eastern Idaho Development Corporation (EIDC) will receive $99,000 as a Rural Business Enterprise Grant. These funds will establish a revolving loan fund that will be used to make loans to small businesses in rural areas for land costs, building costs, machinery and equipment costs, and working capital.·The Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency (SICAA) will receive a Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grant for $10,000. This money will be used to complete a grant application to build twenty homes under the Mutual Self Help program. The grants awarded by USDA are part of the Bush Administrationâ??s overall efforts to help spur economic growth opportunities and improve the quality of life for rural Americans. # # #