Western Arizona Economic Development District

New post on: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

WASHINGTON, September 10, 2009 – President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate Harris Sherman as Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sherman will serve with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“For decades, Harris Sherman has been dedicated to conserving and improving the environment in Colorado and beyond,” said Vilsack. “It would be a privilege to have a public servant like Harris join the USDA leadership team to help carry out President Obama’s vision for protecting the natural resources we need for a healthy and prosperous America.”

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New post on: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

WASHINGTON, Sept., 10, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of $17.5 million in community facilities projects that are being funded immediately with federal funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that President Obama signed into law in February. Altogether, USDA has announced nearly $252.5 million in Recovery Act funding for community facility projects to date.

“Facilities such as libraries, public buildings and community centers bring vitality to small towns and cities and these Recovery Act investments will benefit people throughout the country,” Vilsack said. “The Obama Administration is committed to strengthening communities in rural areas and these investments will help further that goal.”

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New post on: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

78 projects in 20 States and the District of Columbia will receive a total of $89 million to address problems caused by fire, insects, invasive species and disease

WASHINGTON, September 9, 2009 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for forest health protection projects. These 78 projects will receive almost $89 million and are located on forested lands in 30 states. This funding will be used to restore forest health conditions on Federal, State, and private forest and rangelands recovering from fires, forest insects and disease outbreaks. These conditions weaken affected lands and threaten the benefits these lands provide, including clean water, clean air, habitat for wildlife, resistance to wildfire, and recreational opportunities for the public.

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New post on: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

WASHINGTON, September 9, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the co-chairs of the Obama Administration’s Food Safety Working Group, unveiled a new consumer Web site today at www.foodsafety.gov. The site is designed to help consumers and families get all the latest information on food safety and food recalls in one convenient place.

The new site features information from all the agencies across the federal government that deal with critical food and food safety information, including preventive tips about how to handle food safely, alerts on life-saving food recalls, and the latest news from the key agencies.

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New post on: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

WASHINGTON, September 9, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced almost $5 million in grants for seven State agencies to simplify the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application and eligibility systems and improve access to program benefits for America’s low-income households. Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, SNAP helps ensure that people have access to healthy and nutritious food; the program is currently serving 66 percent of all who are eligible to participate.

“The federal government plays an important role in combating food insecurity and hunger, but it is through special partnerships that we can reach people who are most in need of assistance,” said Vilsack. “These grants will achieve our goal of increasing program access and participation among America’s most vulnerable citizens.”

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New post on: PR Web

Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) September 9, 2009 — Main Street Broadband welcomes experienced telecom executives Jonathan Pfohl and Dennis Doepker to the company’s management team. Mr. Pfohl will serve as Main Street Broadband’s Chief Financial Officer while Mr. Doepker will serve as Vice President and General Manager leading the field sales and operations for Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida markets. Mr. Pfohl and Mr. Doepker bring a vast amont of experience holding telecom leadership roles for over 20 years each.

Mr. Pfohl’s background spans not only the financial aspects of the business, but also the operational. Most recently Mr. Pfohl held the CFO position at Movida, a pre-paid MVNO. Previously he held senior positions with AirGate PCS (a Sprint PCS affiliate), Sprint PCS, Frontier Cellular and Rochester Telephone. His responsibilities have included all aspects of financial management and business planning, and with AirGate he was also responsible for the field Sales and Marketing organization. “The addition of Jonathan to the team will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Main Street Broadband. We look forward to his leadership as we operate and grow the business,’ comments Mike Mies, Co-Founder and CEO.

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New post on: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

NASHVILLE, Tenn., September 8, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today visited Madison, Tenn., as part of the Obama Administration’s ‘My Education, My Future’ events. Secretary Vilsack joined students at Amqui Elementary School to watch President Obama’s speech live and have a conversation about the importance working hard, setting educational goals and taking responsibility for their education.

“Our students have the opportunity to determine their individual futures and in turn the future of our nation and we must inspire them to take responsibility for their learning and support them as they rise to that challenge,” said Vilsack. “For our students to meet their educational goals, we must make sure that no child arrives at school hungry and that nutritious meals and healthy communities are part of every educational program.”

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New post on: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

WASHINGTON, September 4, 2009 – The Obama Administration today continued naming individuals who will serve as State Director for Rural Development at the USDA.

“These individuals will be important advocates on behalf of rural communities in states throughout the country and help administer the valuable programs and services provided by the USDA that can enhance their economic success,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

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New post on: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

WASHINGTON, September 4, 2009 – The Obama Administration today continued naming individuals who will serve as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency at the USDA.

“These individuals have a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our rural communities and will help build on the Obama Administration’s efforts to rebuild and revitalize rural America,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

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New post on: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2009 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined President Barack Obama in marking the 45th anniversary of the landmark Wilderness Act. President Obama signed a proclamation this week designating September as National Wilderness Month and calling on “all Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, learn more about our wilderness heritage, and explore what can be done to protect and preserve these precious national treasures.”

“As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, we recognize that a healthy and prosperous America relies on the health of our wilderness areas,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Our National Forest Wilderness Areas are a national inheritance that not only help generate rural wealth through recreation and tourism, but also supply communities with clean water, shelter wildlife, and help us mitigate and adapt to climate change.”

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