Indiana Farmers Union :: infarmersunion.org

Membership & Leadership Awards Program

Indiana Welcomes USDA Rural Development Under Secretary
Federal Official Tours Indiana Landmarks

Having never been to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it was evident that Thomas Dorr, Under Secretary for Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA) was awed. Having not hosted Dorr in Indiana, it was evident that Hoosiers were impressed by his enthusiasm for alternative energy and the importance of rural development.

Arriving Monday, Thomas Dorr made his first visit to Indiana as Under Secretary for Rural Development. Touring Morristown, Indiana’s Integrity Biofuels plant, Dorr noted that “National energy security is a huge issue to the president right now.” Dorr stated that Charles and John Whittington’s Integrity facility exemplified American entrepreneurial spirit at its best. “Integrity Biofuels will employ local engineers, local contractors, and is energy responsible,” Dorr said.

Dorr then met with members of the Rahal Letterman Racing Team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jeff Simmons, driver of Rahal Letterman’s ethanol-sponsored car, accompanied Dorr through the garages and explained how Indy Racing League (IRL) cars are running on ninety-percent ethanol this year before going to one-hundred percent next season. Dorr was impressed not only with Simmons’ racing knowledge, but also with the tremendous passion he shows for alternative energy.

Alternative energy was but one issue Dorr discussed with Lt. Governor Becky Skillman at a Monday evening event.

On Tuesday, the Under Secretary met with officials from the Indiana Department of Agriculture and attended a public forum at the White County 4-H Fairgrounds where the second-phase Technology Suite was announced for Reynolds, Indiana’s BioTown. The suite is comprised of three separate technologies which will work together in the production of not only electricity for Reynolds, but also other marketable products such as methane and fertilizer. “Rural America is loaded with energy potential,” Dorr said.

Door’s energetic commitment to rural development will again be present in Indiana as he attends the IRL Ethanol Summit next Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $63 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. As a result, over 1.1 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.