FERNDALE - After a year of organizational work, staff development and other planning efforts, US Representative (D-26) Maurice Hinchey said a new $495,000 grant marks the beginning of active Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) programming for Sullivan County and the Ulster County Town of Warwarsing.

Hinchey was on hand Monday to formally announce the receipt of two Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business Opportunity Grants, which were part of a recent $13.3 million national rural grant announcement.

Divided into two sections, the new grants provide $385,000 for a planning and entrepreneurial training course and another $110,000 which is to be shared between the entrepreneurial program and an economic development planning and leadership course.

A third grant, a $56,000 USDA Business Enterprise Grant, has also been awarded to the fund development costs of regional farmers markets in Ellenville, Liberty, Callicoon, as well as the fall harvest market in Bethel.

Hinchey last year crafted the legislation, which brought the USDA pilot economic assistance zone designation to the area. REAP zones receive preferential status in the consideration of applications for USDA small business expansion and emerging new business grant programs, as well as similarly targeted direct, low interest loan funds which will distribute a guaranteed $900 million, nationwide.

For more information about REAP programs and availability, contact executive director Rick Bishop at REAP's Ferndale headquarters, by telephone at 845/295-2632.