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Gov. Bob Taft signed Senate Bill 193 in mid-March, providing an additional $25 million to the Agricultural Linked Deposit Program, increasing it from $100 million to $125 million. According to Scott Williams, OFBF director of state legislative affairs, the additional money will allow for more qualified applications to be funded and further increase the benefit of Ohio's farm families. "Senate Bill 193 simply takes a great program and grows it to provide greater opportunity." Williams said.

In 1983 the General Assembly passed legislation to create the Linked Deposit Program for Small Businesses. This authorized the treasurer to place up to 12 percent of the state’s investment portfolio in reduced rate investments at local lending institutions, which then made loans to qualifying small businesses at below market rates. A separate program for agriculture was created in 1985 and was later made permanent through additional legislation passed in 1987. Since 1985, more than 22,000 Agri-Link applications have been approved, totaling $1.5 billion.

Williams said the program has helped thousands of farms and farm families by providing them much-needed capital for their operations. Last year, Treasurer Joe Deters' office received 2,464 applications, approving 1,371 for a total dollar amount of $100 million in reduced rate loans. The average applicant received $72,941; applicants resided in 85 of Ohio’s counties.

Applications are available at eligible lending institutions. Check with your local lending institution to see if it participates in the linked deposit program.

Caption: Gov. Bob Taft signed SB 193 into law in early March. Pictured (l to r): State Treasurer Joe Deters, OFBF Director of State Legislative Affairs Scott Williams, Gov. Taft; Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Doug White, Deters' Legislative Liaison Matt Ottinger and White's Legislative Aide Jack Irvin.