U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Oklahoma State Director Kenneth Corn today invited public input on a plan to make it easier for more people in rural Oklahoma and Tribal Nations to access grant funding that will strengthen their local economies, communities, and quality of life.
Through the Better Grants Better Service initiative, USDA Rural Development is gathering and analyzing input from customers, agency staff and other stakeholders to streamline its more than 30 grant programs into a superior customer experience. These programs provide people in rural and Tribal communities access to better housing, infrastructure and business opportunities.
“President Biden wants to go directly to our customers in the field, so the federal government can find ways to be more efficient in delivering much needed dollars to our rural government and Tribal leaders who are utilizing those funds to best serve our friends and neighbors here in Oklahoma,” Corn said. “By directly going to our stakeholders, who best understand the needs on the ground in Oklahoma, the federal government can make improvements that cut through the red tape for communities who don’t necessarily have the time, resources or staffing to complete successful grant applications.”
This initiative underscores USDA’s commitment to being transparent and inclusive in the design and delivery of its programs. The initiative’s goal is to:
- Make it easier for people to apply for, receive and use grant funds.
- Make customer service more efficient and consistent.
- Enhance the overall experience for Rural Development grant applicants and recipients.
Customers and stakeholders can learn more information about the Better Grants Better Service initiative in a short video available in English or Spanish.
The first two areas of focus will be equipment-only and technical assistance grants. To submit ideas for ways in which the agency can improve these grants, email SM.RD.BetterGrants@usda.gov by May 31, 2024.
USDA Rural Development will use the feedback to develop recommendations to improve its grant programs for all customers.