The federal budget for USDA Rural Development was funded in December, 2104, and the agency with offices in Dexter is looking for projects that qualify for federal funds. Phyllis Minner, Area 4 director of USDA Rural Development in southeast Missouri, spoke to board members at the recent meeting of the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission (BRPC). Rural Development invested $760,450,901 in the state in 2014.
"Our purpose is to invest tax dollars back into the communities," said Minner.
Minner said Area 4 has not been informed of their allocations for the upcoming year, but "most of our programs are fully funded." She said Area 4 is actively seeking projects to fund in 2015. She went on to say that the local area is short of staff and trying to fill some positions. She said at one time there were 300 people employed with Rural Development, but that number has shrunk to 104. She said that number may increase to 114.
"We have been shrinking," said Minner. "We don't have the staff we used to."
Minner said Rural Development is currently trying to fill three positions, including loan specialists in the Dexter and Charleston areas.
Minner told those present that last year Scott County received $72 million in Rural Development funds, Stoddard County $56 million, New Madrid County $35 million, Mississippi County $15 million and Pemiscot County $13 million. She said money this year is targeted for poverty areas, or those counties with poverty levels exceeding 20 percent. She said three counties in Area 4 -- Mississippi, Pemiscot and Shannon -- have over 30 percent of the households living at the poverty level.
She said there will be a series of public meetings in the next month to discuss priorities for funding in 2105.
The Farm Bill that passed put an emphasis on Rural Development getting involved in economic development, Minner stated.
Minner said while Rural Development was funded for the current fiscal year, grant money is "the most limited." She said most of the funding for USDA Rural Development goes out in the form of low-interest loans."
"Grants are usually tied to loan money," explained Minner. "The loans are subsidies that area paid back for reinvestment," said Minner.
Minner reviewed several of the USDA Rural Development programs. She said Rural Development has three focus areas in 2015: Community Economic Development, Local Foods and Bio-Economy.
Community Facility loans and grants are one of the more popular funding mechanisms for Rural Development. Minner noted that the maximum grant funding for a project is 75 percent, although it can be higher in poverty areas.
In 2014, the following Bootheel projects were funded:
* City of Campbell -- Fire truck purchase and three emergency generators
* City of Canalou -- Purchase of mosquito spray and insulated doors
* City of Senath -- Purchase of installation of three warning sirens
* Mississippi County Ambulance -- Purchase of a new chassis for existing ambulance
* Senath Municipal Corp. - To construct a new Community Building and the purchase of refrigeration equipment for the city's Community Center/Emergency Shelter.
Minner said a new area that is receiving priority is farmer's markets. She said they are particularly looking at funding these projects that "have not received funds in the past."
Another area to receive funding is the Rural Energy for America Program. These funds are available to for-profit entities. Minner said there was $18 million available for this program, and it is often utilized by farmers in this area. Projects funded included Arnco Farms in Scott County.
Downtown Poplar Bluff received a $12,300 grant under the Rural Business Enterprise grant program. The city will use the funds to purchase equipment for three community gardens and to provide technical assistance to area farmers for local food production and marketing.
Other categories to receive funding are: Business and Industry loans, Rural Economic Development loans, Rural Micro- Entrepreneur Assistance grants, Water and Waste loans and grants, Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (Stoddard County Public Water Supply District #3 received an $18,000 grant for preliminary engineering for improvements to the system), Pre-Development grants, Housing Preservation grants, Single Family and Multi-Family Housing, Bio-energy Program for Advanced Biofuels and the Telecommunications Program.
Minner said there are two application deadlines, the first of which will be in April.
BRPC Executive Director Steve Duke asked if Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) could be used to match Rural Development grants.
Minner said it not only could be used that way, but it was a good fit for Rural Development programs.