U.S. Department of Agriculture launches rural development web page

WASHINGTON — Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett has unveiled a new interactive web page to identify best practices for building rural prosperity.

“Rural communities need forward-thinking strategies to build strong, resilient futures,” Hazlett said. “(U.S. Department of Agriculture)’s Rural Development Innovation Center is focused on identifying unique opportunities, pioneering new, creative solutions to tough challenges, and making Rural Development’s programs easier to understand, use and access.”

The web page is meant to highlights effective strategies that have been used to create jobs, build infrastructure, strengthen partnerships and promote economic development in rural America. An interactive feature allows web page visitors to submit comments on ways USDA can improve program delivery.

The innovation center’s staff will review these recommendations and direct customers to resources, services and expertise that will help their communities create transformative solutions to complex rural challenges.

The web page also highlights USDA resources that can be used for investments in infrastructure and innovation. These resources include USDA’s Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program, the Community Connect Grant Program and community facilities programs.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue established the Rural Development Innovation Center as a means “to streamline, modernize and strengthen the delivery of Rural Development programs.” To do this, the innovation center will be focused on improving customer service to rural communities and increasing rural prosperity through strategic partnerships and capacity-building, data analytics and evaluation and regulatory reform.

In April of 2017, President Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January, Perdue presented the task force’s findings to Trump, which included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural areas.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements, business development, housing and community services such as schools, public safety and health care as well as high-speed internet access in rural areas.

For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. The new web page can be found at www.usda.gov/topics/rural/rural-development-innovation-center.

Jennifer Parks