MORGANTOWN, WV, Sept. 30, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Ryan Thorn today announced the addition of Rural Partners Network (RPN) staff who will help rural West Virginians access funding and resources to create new and lasting economic opportunities in their communities.
Carrie Decker will serve as the new Community Liaison for the Pioneer Community Network. Decker will work to reduce barriers to participation in federal programs, assist in preparing successful funding applications, and work to increase investments in Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Nicholas, Roane, Webster, and Wirt counties.
“I’m very excited to welcome Carrie to the Rural Development team,” Thorn said. “Our Community Liaisons are instrumental in helping address the unique needs of our rural West Virginia communities. It’s an exciting opportunity for Rural Development to engage in deep partnerships to help rural West Virginia get its fair share of federal funding.”
Decker comes to Rural Development from the Roane County Chamber of Commerce where she served as its Executive Director. While in that position, Decker founded and served as Executive Director of The Bob Ashley Resource Center, which provides technical assistance and support to Roane County small business owners and entrepreneurs. In 2023, Decker earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Penn State University.
Led by USDA, RPN combines federal, state and local resources to create jobs, build infrastructure, and support long-term economic stability in rural communities. In West Virginia, Community Liaisons help advance local priorities and projects in the state’s two Community Networks. Each Community Network receives dedicated community development support to help them navigate federal and other programs, build relationships, and identify community-driven solutions.
The Rural Partners Network is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between federal agencies and local leaders and residents established by the Biden-Harris Administration to transform the way federal agencies partner with and serve rural people and places. The program is focused on improving social and economic well-being by making the most of new and existing local partnerships and assets and connecting rural opportunity with federal resources.
USDA Rural Development is leading the Rural Partners Network, which is central to President Biden’s commitment to ensuring that rural Americans have the opportunity to succeed – and that they can find that opportunity close to home. Learn more at RURAL.gov.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wv.
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