Congressman Hayes and John Cooper, USDA Rural Development State Director delivered federal funds to Central Park NC and Montgomery Economic Development Corporation on September 30, 2008. The check signing and presentation took place at the STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise, a small business incubator located in the once vacant Russel Athletic Hosiery Mill in Star, NC.

"I am glad that Central Park NC and Montgomery Economic Development Corporation are receiving this important funding," Hayes said. "These projects were a top priority for Montgomery County, so it became a top priority for me as well. This new funding will allow these businesses to grow and add more jobs. Ultimately, this victory is the result of work from all levels of government and the private sector working together toward a common goal. I am proud to be a part of that team."

USDA Rural Development provided a $75,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) to Central Park NC to assist with renovations to STARworks Center for Creative Enterprises. STARworks is a business incubator housed in a former textile mill. The project is expected to create up to 12 new jobs.

Front row: Kacy Cook (NC Wildlife Resources Commission), Congressman Robin Hayes, Dr. Nancy Gottovi (Executive Director, Central Park NC); Back row: John Cooper (USDA Rural Development State Director), Takuro Shibata (Director, STARworks Ceramics), Kenneth Cagle (ComfortSouth LLC), Keith Crisco (Asheboro Elastics & Board Member, Central Park NC), Angela Bernard (Wet Dog Glass, LLC), Casey Harris (S.T.A.R. Director, Central Park NC)

Montgomery Economic Development Corporation (EDC) received a $50,000 Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) from USDA Rural Development to provide contractual technical assistance for the expansion of Central Carolina Hosiery. The company is being forced to reject orders because of lack of capacity to fill them. The expansion includes the addition of 15 machines that will enable them to meet the current demand. The project is expected to create up to 18 new jobs.

Front row:Dr. Mary Kirk (President Montgomery Community College), Congressman Robin Hayes, Judy Stevens (Montgomery County Economic Developer), Marla Coulthard (Community Development Consultant), Mayor Kathy Harris (Town of Star), Frances Reave (Chamber of Commerce member); Back row: John Cooper (USDA Rural Development State Director), Lance Metzler (Montgomery County Manager), Kaye Bryant (EMBARQ), Serge Babayon (CEO, Central Carolina Hosiery), Ralph Bostic, (Candor businessman), Donna Strong (President, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce), and Senator Richard Burr Field Rep.

"Rural Development is very pleased to provide funding to Central Park NC and Montgomery EDC," said Cooper. "Congressman Robin Hayes continues to seek funding to support new and existing businesses in his District. These grants will result in the creation of new jobs for the Town of Star and Biscoe."

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested more than $91 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov