Karen Lynch recently joined USDA Rural Development’s (RD) Montpelier, VT Area Office team as the new Loan Specialist working primarily with the USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Loan and Grant programs and Rural Business Enterprise and Opportunity Grants, serving Addison, Chittenden, Grand Isle, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, and Washington counties.
Karen comes to Rural Development after having served as the Executive Director of the Lamoille Economic Development Corporation and with 21 years financial services experience, primarily as a lender and credit research analyst. Karen a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, spends here free time renovating a traditional Vermont farmhouse, cooking, and gardening. She is devoted to her two German Shepherds, Cassandra and Stone.
“Karen’s background of working in economic development and financial services gives her the skills and industry background to assist the Rural Development client.” said Michael Bard, Area Office Director for USDA Rural Development’s Montpelier Area Office. “Karen’s connections and familiarity with the needs of her service area clients enable her to provide coverage to our partners, and our applicants, as she quickly gains an understanding of the programs she administers to them.”
Rural Development’s Community Facilities Loan, Loan Guarantee and Grant programs are available to finance capital projects in rural areas of up to 20,000 population. Funds may be used to acquire equipment and/or construct, purchase, expand, or improve facilities that provide essential services to the community. During fiscal year 2009, USDA Rural Development invested over $6.5 million dollars throughout Vermont, providing funding resources for first responder equipment, city hall roof replacement, health care and child care facility expansions or equipment purchases.
Rural Development’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) and Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) are used to provide technical assistance to small businesses, farmers and farm organizations. Funds have been used to study new markets, and provide consulting services. Nineteen RBEG and RBOG projects received resource funding totaling over $2.3 millions, during 2009.
Karen is ready to assist applicants and can be reached at 802-828-6044 or [email protected].
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in Rural America. This is done by providing financial and technical assistance to foster growth and new opportunities for business development, home ownership, and critical community and technology infrastructure. To learn more about USDA Rural Development programs visit the web site athttp://www.rurdev.usda.gov/vt.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
