USDA ADMINISTRATOR TO ANNOUNCE BUILDING TRANSFER, HOLD ALASKA STRIKEFORCE MEETING

Sitka, AK – June 10, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Rural Development Alaska State Director Jim Nordlund today welcomed U.S. Department of Agriculture Housing and Community Facilities Administrator Tammye Treviño to Sitka.

While in Sitka, Administrator Trevino is planning to mark a milestone in the revival of the former Sheldon Jackson College campus. The college, which is now closed, transferred ownership of campus buildings to the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. This transaction carried the responsibility to assume a USDA guaranteed loan and a grant to the college for the Rasmuson Student Center building. Trevino will accept transfer of the student center from the college to the camp. Part of the transaction includes a long term lease and favorable terms for one of the Student Center’s renters, 3 To 5 Preschool, Inc. The Rasmuson Foundation and the Foraker Group were instrumental in finalizing the transaction.

Administrator Treviño is also in the state to discuss a USDA pilot program that allows qualified USDA home loan borrowers, including those in Alaska, to refinance their mortgages and lower their loan payments. She will also meet with local leaders to discuss the USDA StrikeForce initiative. StrikeForce aims to increase investment in rural communities through intensive outreach and stronger partnerships. USDA partners with rural communities and regions on locally-supported projects. June is Homeownership Month, and the Administrator is visiting several states to discuss home loan programs that are available in rural areas.

The StrikeForce meeting will be conducted in Sitka on Saturday, June 8th from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Sitka Tribe Community House. Groups expected to participate include:

• Sitka Community Development Corporation

• Baranof Island Housing Authority

• Easter Group (Homeless Focus)

• Sitka Economic Development Association

• City of Sitka

• Sitka Tribe of Alaska

• Sitka Local Food Network

For more information on the USDA StrikeForce initiative, please visit:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2013/03/0054.xml.

For more information of the USDA National Homeownership Month, please visit:

http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericcontentid=21851.