Tim Ryan returns to Montana to serve as Rural Development State Director

In April 2001, at the recommendation of Montana’s U.S. Senator Conrad Burns, President Bush appointed Tim Ryan the State Director of Montana USDA Rural Development. He served as the State Director until April 2004, when he was appointed Acting Deputy Under Secretary stationed in Washington DC.

With the confirmation of a permanent Under Secretary in August 2005, Mr. Ryan had the opportunity to return to Montana as the State Director for Rural Development. As State Director, Mr. Ryan oversees 53 full-time employees who serve the rural communities of Montana. The annual investment Rural Development makes in Montana is over $140 million.

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 $54 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 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 Montana Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mt/