Rural Development Stories | Community Development Digest

Agencies Outline Plans for Strategic Economic Development Funds

Three agencies – the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Cooperative-Business Service, and the Rural Utilities Service – release a joint notice outlining how funds under a variety of grant programs will be used for priority projects supporting strategic economic or community development plans.

read complete story

USDA StrikeForce Expands to Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative into high-poverty counties in Florida, Missouri, Montana, and Ohio. Launched in 2010, more than 1,500 StrikeForce partnerships have already helped USDA support nearly 190,000 projects and invest $23.5 billion in high-poverty areas in rural America.

read complete story

$3 Million in Grants Goes to 19 Disadvantaged Rural Businesses

USDA is making the grants available through the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program (formerly the Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program). This program supports technical assistance such as feasibility studies, leadership and training, and the development of business and strategic plans.

read complete story

$3.7 Million Goes for Rural Homes Rehab and Repair

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $3.7 million to help rural families repair and rehabilitate their homes. The funds are being awarded through the Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program in 46 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to support the renovation of 1,147 units.

read complete story

USDA Makes Available $2.5 Million for Farmer Education

The Department of Agriculture is making available $2.5 million in grants for projects to educate new and underserved farmers as part of more than 20 USDA Farm Service Agency programs that provide financial, disaster or technical assistance to the agricultural community.

read complete story

Obama Expands Efforts to Help Rural, Native Alaskan Communities

While visiting Alaska, President Obama announced several updates to federal efforts to help Alaskan – including Native Alaskan – communities.

read complete story

New USDA Funding Priorities Pushed Back

USDA delays implementing new funding priorities for specific rural development-related projects.

read complete story

USDA, OECD Honchos List Key Themes Guiding Rural Development

The third and final day of the 10th Annual OECD Rural Development Conference held this week in Memphis, TN, sees U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) Deputy Secretary-General Mari Kiviniemi issuing a joint statement outlining three...

read complete story

New Rural Development Priority Policy Unveiled

The Department of Agriculture is implementing a Farm Bill provision that will have a major policy impact on the way the USDA helps rural communities plan and finance regional economic development strategies.

read complete story

Assistance Coming for Section 538 Rural Housing Program

These information-sharing sessions are beyond the quick, "here's-how-to-apply" variety. Several will examine how the program ties into other RHS and Agriculture Department programs.

read complete story