Butterfield seeks federal funds for rural communities
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006
By Chris Fitzsimon
By Michael Barrett
Rocky Mount Telegram
U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield is lobbying for a $9 million boost in federal support for rural communities and minority farmers.
During a recent U.S. House debate on the fiscal year 2007 budget, Butterfield, D-1st District, spearheaded a pair of amendments. The first added $5 million to a low-interest loan program for rural cities and towns. The second added $4 million to support training and assistance for minority farmers.
?Rural communities and farmers have a great deal of unmet needs,? Butterfield said in a press release. ?The federal government must be a strong partner in addressing those needs.?
The amendments were included in the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations bill, which the House approved 378-46. The U.S. Senate must pass its own version before a final draft is voted on by both bodies and signed into law by President Bush.
Butterfield said he hopes the additional funding will hold up through the process. The low-interest, long-term loans to small rural towns and cities would finance municipal building projects and emergency vehicles, he said. The money would come through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office.
The amendment marks a 10 percent hike that would increase total program funding to $54 million, Butterfield said. (more…)
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