SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $79K IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CAYUGA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Cayuga Economic Development Agency Will Use the Funding to Purchase and Lease Grain Drying and Cleaning Equipment to Preferred Quality Grain in the Town of Cato
Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $79,035 in federal funding for the Cayuga Economic Development Agency. This funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Business Development Grant Program.
Cayuga Economic Development Agency will use the funding to purchase grain drying and cleaning equipment and lease it to Preferred Quality Grain in the town of Cato. There is a rapidly expanding demand for organic grains produced in this region, and this equipment will help remove the weed seeds and other dockage components that harm the products’ marketability. This investment will benefit growers of wheat for flour milling, food-grade soybeans, and malting barley for the New York brewers. This investment will help create two new jobs.
“This federal investment will help allow farmers to make the critical modifications they need to produce superior organic grains for their community and region, boosting the Central New York economy as a result,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to announce this federal funding for Cayuga County, and I vow to continue fighting to ensure that the Central New York agricultural industry is able to flourish.”
“This federal funding is great news for Cayuga County,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our local farmers and producers are at the heart of our rural economy, and these federal funds will provide them with the additional support they need to build markets and grow their farms. New York State has some the hardest working farmers and producers in the country, and I will always fight in the Senate for the resources to help them succeed.”
The funding was provided by the USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant Program. This is a competitive grant program that works to support technical assistance, training, and other activities that lead to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses. More information can be found here.
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