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News
Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina
May 7, 2004
Contact:
Sara Lang
Phone:
(202) 225-4531
RALEIGH- U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) today announced that two Harnett County groups have received Rural Business Enterprise Grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Town of Angier received a grant for $80,000 for a street extension that will help keep local jobs. The Harnett Forward Together Committee received a $50,000 grant to establish a revolving loan fund to create jobs at two businesses.
"This is good news for Harnett County!" Etheridge said. "These grants are an investment in our future and will ensure that Harnett County can grow its economy and create jobs. During these tough economic times, grants like these are critical to creating and retaining quality jobs for North Carolinians."
The Angier grant will be used to construct an extension of Cutts Street, which will assure the Kidde Fire Fighting Company efficient, effective movement of their products to and from their warehouse. This improvement will allow the company to retain 29 jobs.
The Harnett grant will be used to establish a revolving loan fund for the purchase of equipment for a new business, Unforgettable Flavors, and the expansion of an existing business, C's Vending Service. Unforgettable Flavors is an ice cream and coffee shop in Spring Lake and will create six new jobs. C's Vending Service is located in Dunn and will add five jobs to their workforce. Harnett Forward Together promotes small business growth in Harnett County.
The Administration's budget proposal for FY2005 cuts agriculture funding by 8 percent, including rural development grants and loans like those awarded in Harnett County. The proposed budget cuts funding for rural business assistance programs like these by $31 million. Rural economic development is cut by $244 million; water and sewer assistance grants are by $218 million; rural housing loans are cut by 20 percent and initiatives to improve rural health care are cut by 64 percent.
"As a Member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, I will fight to restore the Administration's funding cuts for these priority projects," Etheridge said.
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