Three New Mexico companies are getting help to expand under the federal Rural Development program that aims to create jobs in poor areas.
The grants are part of $17 million being announced Wednesday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for 110 companies in 43 states.
In New Mexico, a company called Old Wood in Las Vegas that makes block wood floors is getting $300,000 to market its products globally. In Milan, a rural saw mill called Mt. Taylor Machine is getting $200,000 to manufacture boards and beams from lumber derived from trees harvested under Forest Service contracts. And in Embudo, Comida de Campos is getting $49,000 to package and sell fresh vegetables, fruits and salad from refrigerated vending machines.
Vilsack warns that grant program will go unfunded next year if Congress fails to pass a farm bill.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.