Moultrie Tech Receives Half Million-plus in USDA Grant Funds
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| Pictured, left to right, are Georgia State Representative Jay Powell, MTC Vice President of Operations David Evans, grant writer Julie Sharpe, MTC Vice President of Student Affairs Scott Hudson, MTC board member Bill Boone, MTC Vice President of Economic Development Shawn Utley, Georgia USDA Director Shirley Sherrod, USDA Area Specialist Jo Ann Jones, MTC President Tina Anderson, MTC RAMP Project Manager Kelly Weeks, Regional Representative for U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss - Debbie Cannon, USDA Area Director Godfrey Hines, and MTC RAMP Project Assistant Lauren Pope. |
Shirley M. Sherrod, Georgia state director of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program, presented a ceremonial big check for $545,951 to Dr. Tina Anderson, president of Moultrie Technical College (MTC), for five projects to benefit students in Colquitt, Tift, Turner and Worth counties. The presentation was held May 7 at MTC’s Tifton Campus.
“These projects are all good for the economy,” Sherrod said. “These funds are like seed money. They will improve the school’s equipment and add a new certificate program. They also provide an economic development specialist and a mobile van to assist businesses and entrepreneurs.”
Projects receiving rural business enterprise grant funds are:
$99,000 – To construct an outdoor classroom to support a new diploma program based at MTC’s Tifton campus in Wildlife and Plantation Management. This will be a 1,300 sq. ft. facility to allow instructional programs to be conducted in a natural environment, with easy access to equipment for hands-on instruction in basic forestry, management, habitat maintenance and policy.
$98,912 – To develop a heavy equipment operator certification program for local businesses and government.
$96,070 – To develop a mobile laboratory for technical assistance and training with small electrical, plumbing, and heating/air conditioning businesses. The unit can be moved to train students in pneumatics, hydraulics, motor controls, pumps, industrial wiring, electronics and mechanical trainers. At least six businesses are expected to use the lab every six months. Workers can be trained on the job site during lunch, breaks and after hours.
$61,357 – To expand Moultrie Tech’s Economic Development program through the hiring of a specialist to coordinate training and certification and to fund an electronic Small Business Center to target agribusinesses and small businesses to provide information and links to state and federal agencies. Technical assistance to existing and new businesses will be provided.
The fifth project, for $190,612, is funded through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program. These funds will be used to purchase videoconference equipment for a distance learning system that will link two campus sites and four other technical college campuses so students in Colquitt, Turner and Worth counties can earn degrees, diplomas and certificates.
As part of the USDA grant stipulations, Moultrie Tech will contribute $1,421,163 in matching funds to see the projects through to completion.
USDA Rural Development offers loan and grant programs to stimulate the economy and improve the quality of life in rural areas. Business programs are designed to help prepare and train the workforce. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program was created to help rural communities access telecommunications, computer networks and related advanced technologies to provide educational and medical benefits.
For more information on Rural Development programs, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ga.
