Lt. Governor visits Shady Oaks wind farm as it prepares to go on line

COMPTON - May 30, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon visited the Shady Oaks wind farm today just as the turbines are scheduled to come on line and provide power to the state's residents and businesses. She used the visit to voice support for Governor Quinn's plan to rescue the state's pension and Medicaid systems, which would help provide employers with the certainty they need to invest in Illinois and create jobs.

The 109.5 megawatt wind farm development in Lee County will sell power to Commonwealth Edison Co. beginning June 1 and provide enough energy to provide electricity for an estimated 25,000 homes. Under the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard established by lawmakers in 2007, Com Ed and Ameren Illinois must purchase at least 25 percent of Illinois energy from renewable sources by 2025. Three quarters the renewable energy is to come from wind power.

"Bringing this wind farm on line will bring Illinois closer to its sustainability goals, and contribute to our state's economic recovery," Simon said before climbing one of only three 2.5 megawatt wind turbines in the country. "If we want wind energy production and manufacturing to continue to grow in Illinois, we must give investors and employers the certainty and stability they need to build and hire here."

The Shady Oaks wind farm is a result of an agreement that Governor Quinn announced during his trade trip to China last fall. Xinjiang Goldwind Science and Technology Co., LTD (Goldwind), is one of the largest wind turbine manufacturers in the world and began construction of the $200 million wind farm last year. The project supported 200 on-site construction jobs and 300 U.S. jobs overall, with 10 permanent operation and maintenance jobs anticipated.

"Were it not for the commitment to wind energy by Governor Quinn and Lt. Governor Simon, the Shady Oaks project would not have been possible," said Goldwind's CEO, Tim Rosenzweig. "Thanks to this project, 25,000 Illinois residents will benefit from clean energy while over 300 U.S. families benefitted from the economic impact of the construction of Shady Oaks. We are delighted to have been a part of it."

Governor Quinn and the General Assembly are working to pass legislation that will fundamentally restructure the Medicaid system and stabilize the pension system to prevent rising costs are predicted to eat into other budget expenses. Lawmakers approved a package of Medicaid cuts and a $1 a pack cigarette tax in recent days to achieve $2.7 billion in health care savings. Public pension reform negotiations are ongoing.

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 – A top USDA Rural Development official this week met with local leaders and business owners in the Midwest to highlight rural small business accomplishments and observe "National Small Business Week".

"We know that to build a strong foundation for our country, we must continue to invest in rural communities and small businesses that create new economic opportunities for those who call rural America home," said John Padalino, Acting Administrator of USDA Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS). "We've seen continued growth in rural business development and the Obama Administration will continue working to strengthen local economies throughout the country."

Padalino met this week with business leaders in Iowa and South Dakota and highlighted ways RBS business and cooperative programs help improve rural economic conditions by providing guaranteed loans and development grants for projects that help create and save jobs.

Nationally, from 2009 through 2011, RBS provided 12,214 guaranteed loans, direct loans and grants that assisted more than 50,000 businesses and helped create or save more than 266,000 jobs.

For example, Morris Manufacturing and Sales Corporation, a family-owned automotive parts manufacturer, had to lay off 100 of its 135 employees when two major automakers closed down production and reorganized. With the assistance from USDA Rural Development, Morris Manufacturing located in Brazil, Ind. secured four B&I loan guarantees totaling $10.2 million, which it used to restructure debt and purchase new equipment. As a direct result of these loans, the company rehired its laid off workers, built a new production facility, expanded its product line, and hired over 60 new employees.

The Montana Wagyu Cattle Company is a family-owned and operated business that raises cattle and provides USDA Grade-A beef and specialty beef products to restaurants, stores, and consumers throughout the region. In 2009, the company used their $49,900 Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) to grow and expand their business by selling products over the internet.

Today, the company sells and ships custom-ordered cuts of beef (steaks, roasts, and specialty cuts) to consumers and businesses all over the United States.

In 2010, Ecotrust of Portland, Oregon, used their $249,340 Rural Business Opportunity Grant to market their FoodHub internet website - an online directory and marketplace that connects regional farmers, grocers, restaurants, and wholesales - to food producers and buyers. The FoodHub website helps agricultural producers tap into the growing local foods market by shortening the supply chain between producers, sellers, and consumers. The RBOG will also be used to provide training and assistance to businesses that want to sell through the website.

In June 2010, 550 companies used FoodHub. Today, almost 3,600 businesses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and California use FoodHub to market their products.

Since taking office, President Obama's Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council - chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack - the President is committed to using Federal resources more efficiently to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $165 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers, and to improve the quality of life in rural areas.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

DAVENPORT, IA: Robert McDonald, P.E., has recently joined MSA Professional Services, Davenport, as a senior project engineer. For the past 30 years, he has provided design services for municipal roadways and storm sewer systems.

Mr. McDonald earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

MSA is a full service consulting firm with 15 offices throughout the Upper Midwest. For more information, call 866.732.6321 or visit www.msa-ps.com.

No More Urgent Priority than Rebuilding the Middle Class

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement on the President's visit to Iowa.  Harkin, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, is leading the effort in Congress to rebuild the middle class in America.   Last August, he held a listening session in Newton with local officials, which informed his Rebuild America Act legislation.  Senator Harkin is also a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.  

"One thing is clear: there can be no sustained economic recovery without a recovery of the middle class in America, the backbone of our economy.  And one way to spur job creation and aid in that rebuilding effort is by supporting the diverse and growing renewables sector in Iowa, including both wind and biofuels.  

"I am glad the President is visiting Newton today - an area that has clearly demonstrated it is possible to create jobs and rebuild through the renewables sector.  It is now imperative that Congress extend alternative energy tax credits, including credits for wind and biofuels, so that small towns like Newton will have the boost they need over the long-term.  

"So I commend President Obama, I welcome him to Iowa, and I applaud his call to support the renewable industry, spur job creation, and rebuild the middle class in America."

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