By RYAN CHRISTNER

rchristner@dailynews.net

Throughout the month of June, which nationally is recognized as homeownership month, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development offices in Kansas, and around the country, have been in the process of taking time to recognize the many partnering businesses and organizations that assist in the implementation of their programs.

"Just like the Hays-area office here, we want to recognize lenders, Realtors, anyone who's a partner with us," said state Housing Programs Director Tim Rogers. "We want to recognize the importance home ownership and the key to what that is to economic recovery across the state."

Through its more than 40 loan and grant programs, USDA Rural Development provides millions of dollars annually to help families -- who wouldn't otherwise be able to -- buy, build or make repairs to a home, help rural-serving businesses make large purchases or construct facilities and help fund community development initiatives.

"We're the only federal agency ... that can literally build a community from the ground up," Rogers said in reference to the agency's variety of programming, which fund everything from underground water systems to above-ground construction and telecommunications projects.

Despite being one of the smaller governmental agencies in the state, Rural Development has a big effect on the lives of Kansans, delivering more than $250 million in programming annually.

One program in particular is seeing larger numbers than ever before.

Rogers said the agency's guaranteed rural housing loan program doled out $87 million in 2007, then a record $118.5 million last year. Last week, with the second half of the year still to be taken into account, the program passed $120 million.

"So that tells you the demand for our programming," he said.

The popularity of that loan comes from its feature of offering 100 percent financing.

"That's one of the very few programs across the country that would even do that," Rogers said.

Another program that is expected to see growth is the rural energy loan grant.

Instituted only about three or four years ago, the grant is available to small business owners, farmers and ranchers for the purpose of purchasing renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.

The application deadline for that program is July 31.

More than just a source for funds, Rural Development also provides technical assistance, including community assessment, strategic planning, organizational development and partnership building.

The Hays office teams with Consumer Credit Counseling Services in Salina to host a homebuyer education class once a month at its office, 2715 Canterbury.

"A lot of your home loan programs require that the family participate in a home buyer education piece before they can get the funds," Area Director Kent Colwell said.

Rural Development has received federal stimulus money to increase the funding it is able to provide to rural Kansas residents.

Although the national economic recession affected people living in large metropolitan areas more than it did those living in places such as northwest Kansas, Rural Development staff in Hays still encourages residents to gather more information about their programs by stopping by their office or calling (785) 628-3081.