农业部宣布800万美元投资支持全美17家合作社 蒙大拿州合作社发展中心获52.5万美元
美国农业部（USDA）10月19日在华盛顿宣布，将投资800万美元支持全美各地的合作社与农村经济发展。这笔资金通过农业部农村商业与合作社局（RBCS）与国家食品与农业研究所（NIFA）之间的合作协议发放，由 NIFA 为农村发展局（Rural Development）管理这笔资金。
农业部农村商业与合作社局局长 Gimmie Jo Jansonius 当天宣布了这项投资。资金来自农村合作社发展补助计划（Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program），将支持17家合作社拓展合作社与互助所有制企业的发展，为农村社区创造经济机会。农业部表示，每年10月是「合作社月」，该部正集中介绍其对合作社的投入。
本轮受助机构包括蒙大拿州合作社发展中心（Montana Cooperative Development Center, MCDC）：该中心将获得524,993美元、为期两年的投资，用于扩大合作社发展服务的覆盖面、加强治理与领导力建设，并通过全州、区域与全国层面的伙伴关系推进分行业企业机会。农业部称，这项工作将支持本地人拥有的企业，保住农村基本服务与就业岗位，并为蒙大拿州的合作社生态提升教育与能力建设。
Jansonius 表示，农业部支持的合作社「扎根于社区、韧性与共同目标」，支持合作社有助于提高农户盈利、打开新市场、激发创新并在农村地区创造就业。国家食品与农业研究所所长 Jaye Hamby 表示，该所乐于把资金送到正在帮助农村合作社创办、成长的组织手中。蒙大拿州合作社发展中心执行主任 Tracy McIntyre 表示，该中心对获得这笔为期两年的投资感到兴奋与感激。
农业部同时公布，自本届政府上任以来，在农业部长 Brooke Rollins 领导下，该部已通过农村发展局的项目投入超过181亿美元贷款与补助、支持242家合作社，涵盖农村经济发展、电力与宽带等关键基础设施建设。
USDA Announces $8 Million Investment to Support 17 Cooperatives Nationwide; Montana Center to Receive $524,993
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in Washington on October 19 an $8 million investment to support cooperatives and rural economic development across the country. The funding is provided through a partnership agreement between USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which administers the funding for Rural Development.
RBCS Administrator Gimmie Jo Jansonius announced the investment. The money comes through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program and will empower 17 cooperatives to expand cooperative and mutually owned business development and drive economic opportunities in rural communities. USDA said the announcement comes during Cooperative Month in October, when the department is highlighting its investments in cooperatives.
Among the recipients is the Montana Cooperative Development Center, Inc. (MCDC), which will receive $524,993 as a two-year investment to expand access to cooperative development services, strengthen governance and leadership, and advance sector-based business opportunities through statewide, regional and national partnerships. USDA said the work will support locally owned businesses, preserve essential rural services and jobs, and enhance education and capacity within Montana's cooperative ecosystem.
Jansonius said USDA is supporting cooperatives that are rooted in community, resilience and shared purpose, and that supporting cooperatives strengthens farmer profitability, opens new market doors, sparks innovation and creates jobs in rural America. NIFA Administrator Dr. Jaye Hamby said the institute is proud to help get the funding to organizations that help rural cooperatives start, grow and thrive. MCDC Executive Director Tracy McIntyre said the center is excited and grateful to receive the two-year investment.
USDA also said that since the start of the current administration, under Secretary Brooke Rollins, it has invested more than $18.1 billion in loans and grants to support 242 cooperatives through Rural Development programs, including critical electric and broadband infrastructure.
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：德克萨斯州 Wharton County 一名农业合作社农户在玉米地里查看作物长势（资料照片）。美国农业部 USDA 摄，公共领域图片，经 Wikimedia Commons 发布。
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