WASHINGTON –
U.S.
Senators Benjamin L. Cardin
and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the



Delmarva
Discovery
Center
in
Pocomoke
City
will receive $150,000 in grant funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

The funds will be used to construct a restaurant, bringing visitors and investment into



Worcester
County


. 

Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, said, “I am a strong supporter of the USDA Rural Development program because of its strong track record in improving the economy and quality of life in rural America.



Worcester
County
, along with other parts of rural
America

, has been hard hit by the declining economy and I applaud this announcement by the USDA of additional funding to help spur economic development and save jobs.” 

 “



Maryland
‘s businesses are suffering because of tight credit and the economic downturn. These USDA funds are an important down payment on creating jobs in
Maryland
,”
Senator Mikulski said. “By stimulating local business development, we are taking the important steps forward in creating jobs and getting the economy back on track again.”

With the help of this USDA Rural Development grant, a riverside restaurant will be constructed at the


Delmarva
Discovery
Center
in
Pocomoke
City

‘s downtown area. The project is expected to create 35 jobs and will be supplemented by $500,000 in CDBG funds.

The loans are being made through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program, used to finance and facilitate the development of small and emerging rural businesses. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at







http://www.rurdev.usda.gov



.