|
- USDA Rural Development discussed program and opportunities available to local residents
|
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a rural Development program that may be of help to Nephi City residents.
The office that covers the Nephi area is located in Manti and Jason Justesen and Karl Larsen, from that office, attended Nephi City Council meeting to discuss the program and opportunities available to local residents.
“This is a great resource for the community,” said Justesen. “We can facilitate 40 different programs to assist communities.”
Last year over $156 million from the USDA Rural Development impacted needs for Utah residents, businesses and communities.
Those helps were in community facilities direct loans and grants, economic impact initiative grants, Native American water and environmental grants, solid waste management grants, technical assistance grants, water and environment grants.
There were also high speed internet and broadband loans, business and industry loan guarantees, rural business opportunity grants, rural business enterprise grants and intermediary relending loan programs.
Money was also used to provide direct home ownership loans, guaranteed home ownership loans, rural home repair loans and grants, housing preservation grants and rural rental assistance.
Jim Wilkey, council member and builder, said he had directed people to the Manti office for help in purchasing a first home. However, not many had taken advantage of the help available.
“We would like more people in Juab County to benefit from our programs,” said Justesen. “If they are just starting a business, improving a business, are developing a nonprofit housing program or are low-income or are looking at developing community projects and they don’t use us, they are missing out.”
Other counties and cities were making use of the many programs available. For example, he said, Utah County was buying lots and developing those lots. There is a specific project in Provo where housing is being developed and is, thereby, providing assistance to low income home buyers.
Santaquin also has a similar program.
A similar program, said Mark Jones, mayor, was unsuccessful in Nephi because a lot could not be found that met the specifications of the program.
This is a different program, said Justesen, and does not require the same things. This program is a great way to get into a nice home with one of the programs designed to help home owners with lower incomes.
“One of our most recent grants went to Tooele to help with strategic planning,” he said.
There are various programs to help with development of renewable energy such as a wind farm and solar power.
“We even have programs to help with health care through the public safety programs and to assist with child care programs,” Justesen said.
“Are there grants available for the expansion of water systems?” asked Mayor Mark Jones.
Justesen said that more than $4 million had been awarded to such programs in just the last year.
In community facility programs in 2006, more than $3 million had been awarded. Of that, $755,000 provided for eight essential community facilities, including a HAZ/MAT vehicle, a fire station, senior citizen center, public works building, police and sheriff vehicles and equipment, fire truck and school renovations.
“We serve Sanpete, Millard and Juab Counties,” said Larsen. “A lot of people have gotten into a new home through our programs.”
The state interest rate, is about 6 percent, he said.
“This is a win/win situation,” said Larsen. “We would like to have Juab County people benefit from this program.”
Rural housing programs were awarded more than $62 million in 2006.
Direct loans were given for new construction and to purchase existing homes. Repair loans were awarded and grants were given to nonprofits to administer mutual self help programs.
Justesen said that Rural Development had partnered with nonprofit housing groups and with the Olene Walker Housing Fund to provide opportunities for individuals to build 65 percent of their own home and benefit from sweat equity.
“Over the past six years, 400 homes have been successfully completed and, with general contractor expertise, 240 households have benefited from direct loans allowing individuals to purchase existing or construct new homes,” said Justensen.
Nonprofit organizations received money to administer special initiative programs.
Rural utilities programs were awarded more than $80 million in loans and grants to help develop and repair drinking water and sanitary sewer systems, including solid waste disposal and storm drainage.
High speed internet and broadband loans provided funds to previously undeserved communities to facilitate high speed broadband services with hard wiring to each rural residence and business.
In addition, he said, business and cooperative programs received more than $11 million last year.
He said 2,300 business were assisted with guaranteed loans which created 140 rural jobs.
Rural business enterprise grants assisted 16 entities in rural areas and created more than 132 jobs and saved 12.
Rural business opportunity grants assisted 1,513 businesses to save 12 rural jobs and create 222 new jobs.
Those who do not want to travel to Manti to apply, said Justesen, could call the Manti office and, on one of their trips through Nephi, Justesen or Larsen could meet with the potential applicant.
|
