2024 Nationwide Investments Mark the Network’s Two-Year Anniversary
FALL CREEK, Wisc., July 30, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden today announced a $70,000 investment for West Central Regional Planning Commission (WCRPC) to further the efforts to showcase outdoor recreation in the eight-county region of Wisconsin’s Northwestern Rural Partners Network (RPN) communities.
"The Biden-Harris Administration created the Rural Partners Network to ensure rural communities like those here in Wisconsin could create the future they envision for themselves by making the most of local traditions and resources," Under Secretary Gooden said. "This new investment demonstrates what is possible with strong partnerships that bring together federal, state and local resources to ensure outdoor recreation and economic opportunities in northwestern Wisconsin can be enjoyed for generations to come."
West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission in partnership with Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission and the rest of the Northwestern Rural Partners Network Communities will use $70,000 through USDA Rural Development’ Rural Business Development Grant to showcase the area’s outdoor recreation assets and to cultivate new recreational opportunities and a region where living, working, and playing are seamlessly intertwined. Maintaining a residents-first approach, these collective efforts across Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, and Trempealeau Counties are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents by simplifying outdoor pursuits and enriching daily experiences.
USDA has awarded approximately $144 million in loans and grants to support 56 projects so far in 2024 that will help RPN communities nationwide address immediate needs and carry out long-term strategies for economic growth and stability. Several of the projects will create jobs and expand business opportunities. Communities will use funding to modernize water and wastewater infrastructure, install clean energy technologies, rehab affordable homes and more.
2024 marks two years since the Biden-Harris Administration launched RPN to ensure people in historically underserved communities receive their fair share of funding from federal agencies. Since its launch, USDA has provided more than $1 billion to support approximately 4,700 economic development projects in RPN communities. Many of these projects would not have been possible without the collaboration between community networks and on-the-ground, federal government staff through RPN.
Background: Rural Partners Network
Launched in April 2022 and expanded in November 2022, RPN is now active in 36 community networks in 10 states and Puerto Rico.
Community networks receive support from full-time USDA staff who live and work locally. These staff members provide technical assistance based on each community’s needs, helping them navigate federal programs, build relationships and apply for funding. In addition to USDA staff, there are staff at 24 other federal agencies supporting RPN and making resources across the government easier to access for people in rural communities. Applicants of USDA programs that fall within an RPN community service area are eligible to receive priority points for funding.
RPN communities also benefit from coordination through other federal efforts such as the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization and President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative and Investing in America agenda. The Rural Prosperity Interagency Policy Council, co-led by the White House Domestic Policy Council and USDA, advises the RPN program and ensures rural voices are heard and reflected in national policies that will benefit all people in rural communities.
For more information on RPN, visit Rural.gov.
USDA 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America.
To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates in Wisconsin, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.
###