The Rural Utilities Service, USDA has announced the availability of $917,221 in grant funds to be competitively awarded for the Household Water Well System (HWWS) Grant Program for fiscal year 2013.  RUS will make grants to qualified  private non-profit organizations to establish lending programs for homeowners to borrow up to $11,000 to construct or repair household water wells for an existing home.   The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today’s announcement is one part of the Department’s efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

The HWWS Grant Program is authorized under 7 USC 1926e. Regulations may be found at 7 CFR part 1776.  Of particular note this year, RUS, in an effort to address the extreme drought conditions in rural areas, will assign administrative discretion points to applications proposing to serve areas with severe, extreme or exceptional drought, as reported by the U.S. Drought Monitor located at https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/.

The deadline for completed applications for a HWWS grant is July 26, 2013.   Applications in either paper or electronic format must be postmarked or time-stamped electronically on or before the deadline.  Late applications will be ineligible for grant consideration.

Submit applications to the following addresses:

Electronic applications:  https://www.grants.gov.

Paper applications should be mailed to:  Water Programs Division, Rural Utilities Service, STOP 1570, Room 2233-S, 1400 Independence Ave SW  Washington, DC  20250-1570.

Obtain application guides and materials for the HWWS Grant program electronically or in paper format from the following addresses:

Electric copies:  https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-individualwellsystems.htm.

Paper copies:  Write Water Programs Division, Rural Utilities Service, STOP: 1570, Room 2233-S, 1400 Independence Ave SW., Washington, DC 20250-1570 or call (202) 720-9589.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.

(AP) — It could mean no more having to check up on Mom or Dad every morning: Motion sensors on the wall and a monitor under the mattress one day might automatically alert you to early signs of trouble well before an elderly loved one gets sick or suffers a fall.

Research is growing with high-tech gadgets that promise new safety nets for seniors determined to live on their own for as long as possible.

Already, some companies are offering monitoring packages that place motion sensors on the front door, a favorite chair, even the refrigerator, and then send an alert to a family member if there’s too little activity over a certain period of time.

Other gadgets can make pill bottles buzz when it’s time for a dose.

(AP) — Omaha trial attorney Bart McLeay (mac-LAY) has announced he is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.

McLeay seeks to replace GOP Sen. Mike Johanns, who is not seeking re-election in 2014.

On his campaign website, McLeay says his core concerns are addressing the nation’s deficit and preserving government as a vehicle for freedom and liberty.

McLeay joined Omaha’s Kutak Rock law firm in 1985. He represented Nebraska as an assistant state attorney general in water cases against Kansas and Colorado and was a law clerk for Nebraska Federal Court Judge Albert Schatz and 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Donald Ross.

McLeay is the second Republican to announce his candidacy in the race. Former Nebraska State Treasurer Shane Osborn was the first.

(AP) — An Omaha law firm is opening up an office in the northwest corner of the state to better serve rural Nebraska.

The Thompson Law Office is opening a satellite office in Chadron.

Attorney Jane Long will staff the Chadron office, but she will be supported by the firm’s nine Omaha attorneys and other staff.

Managing partner Ben Thompson says over the past 20 years it has become harder to find legal services in rural areas. He says this office will help address that in Chadron.