Nearly 50 people gathered in the City Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, to hear how they may be able to tap into Federal grants and loans. The City of Greenville hosted a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Strike Force presentation to local governments and non-profits.

“There is federal money set aside to create economic opportunities and help poverty-striken areas of eastern North Carolina,” said Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas. “Greenville does not qualify for these funds, but that’s not what is important for us right now. We are trying to help our neighbors who could possibly benefit. We need to have a strong region and state, not just a strong city and sometimes helping our neighbors is not just a nice thing to do, but the right thing to do.”

USDA agents met with some of the attendees to give them more detailed information about the types of programs the agency offers and how the attendees can apply.

For more information about the USDA Strike Force and the programs they offer, please call Bob Etheridge at 919.875.4800.

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