North Texas business owners are encouraged to learn more about these available funds and the role USDA is playing in this area by providing grant money to businesss that meet the requirements.

Grants were made through the McKinney USDA Rural Development office to Affordable Building Systems, L.L.C. in Whitewright in 2002 and in 2004 under this program. Affordable Building Systems manufactures building panels for walls and ceilings from wheat straw.

Anyone interested in the meeting may contact Allen Lambright, Area Director at (972) 542-0081, Extension 4 or by e-mail at allen.lambright@tx.usda.gov.