Application deadline is Nov. 3

Kansas

USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks today reminded Kansas community leaders that the application deadline for the Agency's Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Program is fast approaching. This year's application deadline for the Agency program, which provides grants to qualified intermediary organizations, is Nov. 3.

"These grant funds will help ensure that local community leaders have the resources they need to assist their communities to create new economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for more Kansas rural residents," remarked State Director Banks.

The technical assistance grant program was created by Congress in 2000 to assist in the development or increase the capacity of nonprofit organizations, low-income rural communities or federally recognized tribes to undertake projects in the areas of housing, community facilities, and community and economic development in rural areas.

The Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Program, which has a dollar-for-dollar matching funds requirement, is made to an entity that acts as an intermediary. The intermediary provides a program of financial and technical assistance to recipients to build their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, and community and economic development in rural areas.

Grant funds awarded under the Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Program will be made on a national competitive basis, and applications must be received no later than Nov. 3, 2005. Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the application documents from the Agency's website: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.

The original application package must be submitted to: William Kenney, Rural Housing Service, Room 0183, Stop 0787, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, D.C., 20250-0787, and a signed copy of the complete application package to the USDA Rural Development Kansas State Office, 1303 SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040.

For questions about the program, interested parties may contact the USDA Rural Development Kansas State Office at 785-271-2728.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improving the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, the Agency provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure in rural America. For additional information regarding USDA Rural Development programs, individuals may contact the Agency at 785-271-2700 or visit the Agency's Kansas website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks.