Two of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s leaders for rural development will be in Albert Lea Thursday meeting with local officials.

Dallas Tonsager, agriculture under secretary for rural development, and Colleen Landkamer, USDA rural development state director, will visit the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency at 1:30 p.m.

Tonsager and Landkamer are expected to highlight the impact USDA investments have made in the community.

According to a news release, USDA has partnered with ALEDA and Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services to invest more than $4.6 million and help almost 20 area businesses and organizations create jobs and grow the local economy.

Most recently, ALEDA was selected to receive a $385,000 USDA loan to establish a revolving loan fund for small local businesses. Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services was also recently selected to receive a $1 million USDA loan, which will be re-loaned to Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen Inc. in Albert Lea to help finance a remodeling project that is adding 36,000 square-feet to its existing facility.

The ALEDA headquarters is at 2610 Y.H. Hanson Ave., in Albert Lea.