Area business recently recognized for National Homeowners Month

USDA Rural Development celebrated National Homeownership Month with an appreciation event at Diebolt Lumber (left to right): Shalawnda McVey, USDA Rural Development Iola area technician; Jim Nixon, senior loan officer at Gemini Funding Corp.; Tim Rogers, USDA Rural Development Housing programs director; Evette Woods, Humboldt homeowner; Don Diebolt, owner of Diebolt Lumber; and Randy Snider, USDA Rural Development Iola area director. (Submitted Photo)

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Patty Clark kicked off National Homeownership Month by recognizing Don Diebolt, owner of Diebolt Lumber in La Harpe, and Jim Nixon, senior loan officer at Gemini Funding Corp., for their efforts in promoting the agency's housing programs.

National Homeownership Month is observed each June to raise awareness of the role home ownership plays in improving lives, creating jobs and economic opportunities, and strengthening America's neighborhoods, a news release said.

"As we celebrate Homeownership Month in La Harpe ..., it is important that we take a minute to remember all the individuals in Joplin that lost their lives in the tornado that hit (May 22). Here in Kansas, the town of Reading was also damaged by a tornado on the same weekend. Several homes and community buildings were destroyed. As individuals begin to rebuild or relocate, keep in mind that USDA Rural Development offers programs that provide affordable homeownership opportunities to rural Kansans," Clark said in the release.

This spring, Diebolt and Nixon coordinated a Vendor Demo Day at Diebolt Lumber that showcased a wide range of products and services available to homeowners including: roofing, siding, insulation, doors, windows and several specialty tools.

Diebolt and Nixon also invited USDA Rural Development staff to participate in the event and featured the department's housing programs in local newspapers.

"I promote USDA Rural Development programs because individuals can qualify for home loans through them, when they aren't meeting all the requirements of a bank. For me, it's all about helping people find a quality home for their family," said Diebolt.

USDA Rural Development has two home loan programs available to people living in rural areas: Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program and the Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program.

This year, USDA Rural Development has provided more than $108 million in loans and grants to assist 1,211 Kansas homeowners.

Clark also awarded certificates to Evette Woods, USDA Rural Development housing loan recipient in Humboldt, and Marilyn Dean and Shalawnda McVey, USDA Rural Development employees in the Iola area office, for their outstanding customer service.

For more information, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks, or call the agency's state office at (785) 271-2700.