U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, Monday, announced the approval of a $50,000 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development loan to the Stepping Stones Academy for the construction of a child care center located within the Raleigh County Airport Business and Industrial Park.

"This is great news for the hard-working parents of Raleigh County," Rahall said. "Now, parents employed in the area will have another safe and dependable source of child care nearby."

The $50,000 USDA Rural Development Community Facility Direct Loan will finance construction of the 7,800-square-foot Stepping Stones Academy child development center, located on two acres of land in the Raleigh Airport Business and Industrial Park. The non-profit, community-based center will have a capacity of 100 children, ages 3 months to 12 years, and feature seven classrooms, a commons area, an atrium, play areas, offices, restrooms, an outside playground, and a secure entrance.

This funding will be matched with funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), for a total project cost of $776,000. As an ARC Caucus Co-Chair, Rahall has a long history of supporting the ARC and its projects, including recently co-sponsoring successful legislation to extend the ARC and its service to West Virginians through 2011.

"Through my efforts with the ARC, I have long promoted the Raleigh County Airport Business and Industrial Park as a gateway to jobs and economic growth for Southern West Virginia's businesses and residents," Rahall said. "This new funding will help Raleigh County continue to attract and retain business by providing a work environment that is family friendly."