USDA agency could close county offices

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Nov. 30, 2003
The state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Rural Development said about half of his agency's 53 county offices in the state could be closed as part of a restructuring effort.
Nick Walters, director of Mississippi's USDA Office of Rural Development since 2001, said the cuts will be made in part to counteract the high cost associated with lending money for its home loan programs.
USDA's Office of Rural Development assists residents of rural Mississippi with a range of programs to provide affordable housing, water system upgrades and economic development.
The agency also awards grants and issues loan assistance to local governments and nonprofit organizations for police and fire protection, health clinics, libraries and other public uses.
Walters said the consolidation could affect the Lauderdale County office, located at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center, and other nearby county offices. But he would not say which ones were in jeopardy of being closed.
Walters said the consolidation will take about three years to complete.