By By PAUL KEANE – Publisher
The USDA Rural Development Department wants to make investments in Escambia County, according to the state director.
Steve Pelham and his staff toured the county Wednesday, then gave a briefing to the public, business and government leaders and the media that afternoon. The event was hosted by Southern Pine Electric Co-Op.
Pelham and his staff toured Alto Industries in Atmore, both the current and new industrial parks in Atmore, the industrial park in Brewton and NDI in Brewton.
Pelham and his staff then explained the many opportunities offered by USDA Rural Development through its many programs. Included in those are the Rural Housing Service, USDA Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program and other financing options.
Pelham and his staff also compiled a list of needs from the audience. Those needs for the county identified during the meeting included healthcare facility improvements, helping fix an aging water and sewer system in Atmore, infrastructure needs for Atmore's new industrial park, fire plugs for Freemanville's water system, a community/senior citizen center in Flomaton, enlarging Turtle Point Environmental Center and money for county libraries.
Staff members said all that was needed to possibly obtain funding would be to contact the Bay Minette office of USDA Rural Development and make application.
For more information on the programs, call the USDA Rural Development at 937-7350.