BUSH ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $300,000 TO BOOST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING IN RURAL LOUISIANA
Crowley and Tallulah Receive Grants

NEW ORLEANS - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced $300,000 in grants
to help three rural Louisiana communities to stimulate their economies, produce more affordable housing and boost
job growth. The funding is provided through HUD's Rural Housing and Economic Development Program.

"This investment in rural America demonstrates that this Administration's commitment to our nation's heartland is strong," said Jackson. "These grants will help rural communities across Louisiana produce affordable housing and
jobs where they're needed most."

The funding announced today will benefit:

The Seventh District Pavilion, Inc. in Crowley will use its $150,000 a Rural Housing and Economic Development Capacity Building Grant to assist in its training of staff, purchase of land and in their workshops for first time homebuyers. Partners are the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Housing Assistance Council, and the Bank of
Commerce.

The Louisiana Technical College Tallulah Foundation in Tallulah will use its $150,000 Economic Development Capacity Building Grant to construct 4-6 new homes and create 10-20 new jobs in Madison and East Carroll
parishes. Supporters in this venture will be the City of Tallulah, Louisiana Technical College, the Madison Parish Chamber of Commerce, and the Madison Parish Police Jury, along with a host of businesses and local partner
agencies.

Rural Housing and Economic Development grants help pay for land acquisition, new home construction, housing demolition, infrastructure improvements and construction training. Other possible uses include homeownership and financial counseling; financial assistance to homeowners, businesses and developers; creating microenterprises and small business incubators; and, establishing lines of credit or revolving loan pools to benefit the local business community.

Rural non-profit organizations, federally recognized Native American tribes, community development corporations
and state agencies will administer these grants. The funding will help 105 rural communities to build and improve affordable housing, create jobs and generate community and economic development.

Rural communities will use this funding as seed money to pay the start-up costs for housing or economic
development projects. These grants will also help organizations to hire and train their staffs, develop strategic plans and acquire office space and other needed facilities.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as
well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

###