Forty Indiana Rural Development Council (IRDC) grants
totaling more than $6.2 million were distributed for a wide
variety of projects aimed at, encouraging private investment in
agriculture; diversifying the region's economy; improving the economic
viability of the region's farms; and increasing the market value of farm
production. The distribution of these grants took place in 2005, and we
are still seeing the positive effects they have helped to provide today.
Region III-A Economic Development District & Regional Planning Commission,
located in Kendallville, was awarded a grant of $90,400 to set up a
Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for value-added agriculture projects. About
$80,000 of the award was expected to be used to directly fund eligible
value-added agriculture proposals.
A Loan Review Committee developed guidelines and policies for
the loans.
Wood-Land-Lakes is a
strong supporter of the Value-Added Agricultural program and is proud to
have Hertha Meyer, past Council member
and Secretary, as its representative and chairperson on the Loan Review Committee Board.
The RLF has been established to provide low-interest financing to small
and start-up agri-businesses. It seeks to fund projects that will add
value to traditional agricultural products; introduce new and sustainable
production; and otherwise improve the return on agricultural production in NE
Indiana.
View Region III-A's informational
brochure
(pdf) or
contact Nate Cole or
Dave Koenig at 260.347.4714, or take a look at their web site at
www.regioniiia.org for additional information. |
