Courtesy of Congressman Jimmy Panetta:
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) announced that two rural development grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been awarded to California’s 20th Congressional District. The El Pajaro Community Development Corporation received a grant totaling $40,000 and the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association received a grant totaling $38,000 from USDA. The grants will be used to increase economic security in the region, and provide skill building and business education opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“In order for the central coast of California to remain the Salad Bowl of the World, investments must be made to ensure that the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and small business owners have the resources that they need to succeed,” said Congressman Panetta. “These grants will help our agricultural industry and rural economies continue to thrive by providing opportunities for entrepreneurs on the Central Coast.”
The grant received by the El Pajaro Community will help underserved micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners, and farmers in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. The grant received by the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association will help create ten new jobs and save twenty rural jobs in the area.
More information about the grant to the El Pajaro Community Development Corporation is available here. More information about the grant to the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association available here.
