USDA provides $80,000 grant to Missouri

Rural Development awarded $80,000 to the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council; from left, Dr. Don Beighley, Greg Branum, state director, Rural Development, Gary Murphy, president of Missouri Rice Research & Merchandising Council, John Barnett, and Scott Wheeler

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The $80,000 grant funds are part of Rural Development's Rural Business Enterprise Grant program. Funds will construct a 40' x 75' main building and a 15' addition to the existing shop building on the rice research farm located in Glennonville, MO. The new building will house offices for the rice researchers and provide storage for the rice research equipment.

"These funds will help with the expansion of our facilities so that we can better serve the rice growers in the area," said Gary Murphy, president of the Council.

He added, "We certainly appreciate this funding from Rural Development!"

"USDA Rural Development is pleased to provide funding for this expansion of the Rice Research and Merchandising Council," said Greg Branum, state director, Missouri Rural Development.  "Providing suitable facilities for enhancing educational and economic opportunities is an excellent example of USDA Rural Development programs assisting rural residents."

Branum, added that special thanks are extended to our federal elected officials including U.S. Senators "Kit" Bond and Jim Talent plus U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson for making available Federal monies for funding this kind of project providing essential research and educational services for the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council.

Anyone seeking more information about the Rural Business Enterprise Grant and other Rural Development programs may visit Rural Development's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo, or by contacting Terry Luetkemeyer, Area Director for southeast Missouri at terry.luetkemeyer@mo.usda.gov or by calling 573-624-5939 extension 4.