Washington, D.C. -  Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly announced that the proposed Community Resource Center of Marshall County will receive a $2,390,000 low-interest loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a result of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.   The proposed center would provide a central building location for many of Marshall County’s social service agencies.

“I was pleased to learn that the Community Resource Center of Marshall County will receive this low-interest loan,” Donnelly said. “Residents of Marshall County will greatly benefit from being able to access a variety of social services in one building. During these tough economic times, making social services more accessible should be a priority.”

The Marshall County Neighborhood Council, a non-profit corporation, has been working on the concept of a community resource center for over 20 years. In rural communities like Marshall County, many social service agencies are open on a part-time basis and have limited staff and budgets. Putting many of these agencies in the same location will allow for the service providers to share equipment and eliminate duplicative services, thereby reducing overall costs.

The Marshall County Neighborhood Council applied for a loan from the USDA last July. Donnelly wrote a letter in support of their loan application and has been working with Marshall County to follow up on the status of the loan.

“This is great news for the City of Plymouth and for the county,” said Mayor Mark Senter.  “To have this loan available to us will ultimately enhance our local social services.”

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