(MONTGOMERY) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Alabama State Director Nivory Gordon, Jr. announced that the Department is investing more than $18 million to help rural businesses in rural Alabama. These investments will create 32 jobs and save 101 jobs in seven Alabama counties.

“The economic success of the rural areas of Alabama is essential for our state to grow and prosper,” Gordon said. “By investing in businesses who choose to locate and stay in our rural communities, USDA is helping businesses in rural Alabama to create jobs, grow, and to find new and better markets for the items they produce. Rural Alabama is wide-open for business, and USDA stands ready to help.”

USDA is making 3 investments through the Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee Program in Alabama. These investments include:

• In St. Clair County, USDA is investing $2,570,000 in loan guarantees to ServisFirst Bank of Birmingham, Ala. to help Alcrete Industries, Inc. This investment will create 14 jobs, save 22 jobs, and benefit 12,939 rural residents.
• In Talladega County, USDA is investing $5,914,750 in loan guarantees to United Bank of Atmore, Ala. to help Pursell Agri-Tech, LLC. This investment will create 18 jobs, save 57 jobs, and will benefit 12,749 rural residents across Talladega County.
• In Wilcox, Choctaw, Marengo, Perry, and Dallas Counties, USDA is investing $10,000,000 in loan guarantees to ServisFirst Bank of Birmingham, Ala. to help Pine Belt Cellular, Inc. This investment will save 22 jobs and will benefit 10,681 rural residents.