NEWS RELEASE
Consumers Energy
2075 Marshalltown Blvd.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
800-696-6552
Release Date: Immediate
Contact: Deb Borton @ 641-752-2296, ext. 103
Consumers Energy Helps Zearing Obtain USDA Business Development
Funds
April 12, 2004, Marshalltown, IA – Agriculture Secretary Ann M.
Veneman announced on April 6, 2004, that Consumers Energy of Marshalltown,
Iowa, will receive grant funds totaling $136,000. The economic
development grant dollars will then be given to the community of
Zearing to construct a new medical clinic. Nationwide 34 loan and
grant recipients in 17 states will receive $10.9 million in rural
business development funds. The loans and grants will support 55
business ventures and assist in the creation or saving of over
900 rural jobs as part of the Bush Administration's ongoing
efforts to spur economic development in rural areas.
"The Bush Administration is committed to the future of America's
rural communities," said Veneman. "The funds will provide
continued support for locally-driven community and economic development
efforts."
The grants and loans are awarded through USDA Rural Development
to cooperative organizations, which in turn provide loans or grants
to support local economic or community development efforts. Funds
can be used for a variety of purposes, including community facilities
and infrastructure, improving access to local medical care and
other projects that encourage a favorable climate for jobs and
growth.
"Consumers Energy is proud to be able to help our local
communities in their economic development efforts. Having access
to medical care in rural Iowa is important to our quality of life
and we are pleased to play a part," said Brian Heithoff,
CEO and General Manager of Consumers Energy.
Funding of selected applicants will be contingent upon meeting
the conditions of the loan and/or grant agreement.
Other Iowan rural economic development loan recipients included:
Eastern Iowa Light and Power Cooperative, Muscatine County, $400,000;
and Heartland Power Cooperative, Winnebago County, $450,000.
Consumers Energy is a local, member-owned energy cooperative serving
over 4900 members in five counties throughout Central Iowa: Marshall,
Jasper, Polk, Tama, and Story. Consumers Energy is also a Touchstone
Energy® Cooperative, which is an alliance of over 600 cooperatives
in 44 states that collectively deliver power and energy solutions
to more than 17 million members every day. Touchstone Energy® is
a branding initiative that communicates the cooperatives' unique
characteristics in a changing marketplace where these values and
differences matter more each day.
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