By Emma Jade, Local News 8 Reporter

IDAHO FALLS - It's a difficult time for loans. It's even more difficult for families to purchase homes in this economy. However, a local bank is pulling through it.

The USDA rewarded The Bank of Commerce in Idaho Falls today for utilizing more than 1.7 million dollars of guaranteed housing loan funds for the 2008 fiscal year.

The loan program is called Rural Development, and developed by the USDA. It's focused on helping folks purchase affordable housing.

In a time when purchasing a home seems out-of-reach for many families, The Bank of Commerce and USDA have helped assist many Idaho families reach their dreams of home ownership, which actually helps the entire community.

USDA Area Director, Dale Lish, said, "Not only does it help those borrowers but it helps all the others in the community - the lumber stores, the realtors - there are many in that chain of the people involved in the sale of a home that it benefits. So, it is helping the communities in these tough times. "

For more information, you can visit the USDA's website on rural development at www.rurdev.usda.gov