4/20: USDA seeks applications for $11.7 million in broadband grants for rural communities

USDA LogoWASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is soliciting applications for grants to establish broadband in unserved rural communities through its Community Connect program. Community Connect is administered by USDA’s Rural Utilities Service and helps to fund broadband deployment into rural communities where it is not economically viable for private sector providers to provide service.

“Through Community Connect and our other telecommunications programs, USDA helps to ensure that rural residents have access to broadband to run businesses, get the most from their education and benefit from the infinite services that fast, reliable broadband provides,” Vilsack said. “USDA is committed to supporting America’s rural communities through targeted investments in our bioeconomy and renewable energy, local and regional food systems, conservation initiatives and rural development.” Read more

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Wilson co-sponsors bill to spur job creation, investment in Promise Zone

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., is a chief co-sponsor of legislation that will create new tax credits to give incentives to businesses to hire residents of federally-designated Promise Zones like the one that is in part of his congressional district.

Wilson

Wilson

The bill, the Promise Zone Job Creation Act, also would encourage new investments to bring property, equipment or software to hard hit communities in the zones.  South Carolina’s Promise Zone includes all or parts of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper.  The designation, which provides priority help for organizations seeking federal grants and loans that help the area, was awarded in April 2015. Read more

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Group seeks grant applications for $1.5 million Lowcountry Ministries Fund

16.0405.candleThe non-profit Palmetto Project is asking for community organizations serving Allendale, Hampton, Colleton, Jasper, and rural parts of lower Charleston and Beaufort counties to apply for grants from its $1.5 million Lowcountry Ministries Fund.   The Promise Zone includes Allendale, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.

Directions on how to apply can be found at http://www.palmettoproject.org and must be received by 3 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2016.

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Allendale to host April 15 Lowcountry food initiative meeting

If you know children who are hungry in the summer and who don’t eat quality meals after they leave school or if you are passionate about feeding local, South Carolina food to Lowcountry children, you should consider joining local, state and federal partners at an April 15 meeting in Allendale.

At the meeting, experts and community members will discuss summertime and after-school meals, current programs and share information about how to provide affordable and health snacks and meals for children.

WHEN:  1 p.m. to 4 p.m., April 15, 2016

WHERE:  Brandt Building Auditorium, 398 Barnwell Highway, Allendale, S.C.

PARTNERS:  U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, Summer Food Rocks, SC. Child Care, Department of Social Services, and SouthernCarolina Alliance.

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