The Department of Agriculture launched a new effort to change government relationships with rural America and expand economic opportunity in these areas, according to an April 20 news release.
The initiative is called the Rural Partners Network.
“Rural America is incredibly diverse – economically, racially, culturally and geographically," Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, said in the release. "What makes sense for one community may not for another. The Rural Partners Network will help communities get funding for investments that create long-lasting benefits for their communities, especially those that have been overlooked in the past. By providing one-on-one support to these communities, we can lay the foundation for people to build healthy, successful futures on their own terms.”
The new network will help rural communities get their fair share of federal funding, White House Domestic Policy Advisor, Susan Rice, said in a statement
"President Biden has delivered unprecedented resources for rural communities through the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," she said. " However, just making resources available is not enough—the federal government must work better for rural communities so that they can fully take advantage of these opportunities."
The network will initially begin in selected communities in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico and in certain Tribes in Arizona, the release stated.
"Community networks within these states will receive individualized support with the expertise to navigate federal programs, build relationships and identify additional resources to promote community-driven solutions," according to the USDA.
