For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren announced today the award of a $123,000 Rural Business Development grant to the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee’s (UKB). The grant, awarded by U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, will beused to purchase construction equipment that will be leased to Keetowah Construction, Inc., a small construction business formed as a small corporation under the UKB.

 

“I am pleased to announce that this money is headed to Eastern Oklahoma,” Boren said. “These grants are designed to enhance economic and business development in underserved areas. 

 

The grant is a part of $13.7 million in rural business grants announced recently by USDA Rural Development nationwide. The program provides funding to schools, businesses and local organizations to help them conduct economic development activities, finance business expansions and make infrastructure improvements. The programs also help finance training and technical assistance for business development. According to the USDA, several recipient organizations are receiving funding under a priority effort that helps create economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of Native Americans living and working in rural communities.

“These programs are important catalysts to the development of new businesses and expansions to existing businesses,” said Boren. “Small businesses breathe life into local economies and keep our rural communities viable.”

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