Rural Development recognizes Small Business Week

Special to the Daily Mail Rural communities face many challenges as they seek to strike a balance between preserving the attributes of "small-town living" with the need to create an economic strategy to compete in our national and global economies. We are living in a time of great change, according to a press release from the USDA One of the most striking changes is that many of today's farmers and ranchers and their families now often seek outside employment to supplement their farm income. These rural Americans turn to small businesses. This is why it is so important for rural America to recognize the importance of, and the contributions by, small businesses to our country's prosperity, USDA officials said. Gregory C. Branum, Missouri State Director, said, "USDA Rural Development recognizes this dramatic shift in our rural economy and is working with local leaders to help stabilize and improve the overall economic conditions and business opportunities in Missouri." More than 25.5 million small businesses in the United States employ 50 percent of the American work force and create 70 percent of all jobs in America. Small businesses generate more the 50 percent of the nation's gross domestic product. "Small business is an integral driving force in America's economy," Branum added. That is why President Bush places such a significant emphasis on small businesses in his economic growth agenda, he noted. The week of September 14 has been named "Small Business Week," which, according to the USDA, provides an opportunity to celebrate and honor small businesses throughout America. USDA Rural Development is working to ensure that rural small businesses have access to broadband and all telecommunications services, and providing capital to innovative entrepreneurs, which USDA officials said helps businesses add value to America's agricultural output by creating new products and market opportunities both here at home and abroad. USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Rural Development is Rural America's Venture Capitalist providing equity, liquidity, and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, plus critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on these rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or visiting USDA's web site at http://www/rurdev.usda.gov.mo or by contacting the Butler Local office located at 625 W. Nursery, Butler, MO 64730, or by calling (660) 679-6114, ext. 4.