U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Success Stories

Find Stories

Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 12 Stories

USDA Rural Development - Fulfilling a National Demand, One Welder at a Time

A nationwide shortage of welders is plaguing the United States. In response to this reality, Tyler Sasse made the decision to develop an elite, competitive welding school in 2019. Western Welding Academy was founded in Gillette, Wyoming, a community historically associated with… [Read More]
Wyoming

A Growing Family Plants Roots in Wyoming

Bodee and his wife Alexandria were anxious to plant roots for their growing family. With a young son, and another one the way, they were ready to have a space of their own. The couple had never owned their own home, moving from rental to rental in Natrona County.“Homeownership… [Read More]
Wyoming

Repairs Imperative to Keep Independence and Peace of Mind

Like many Wyoming women, Loretta is strong-willed and independent. She takes pride in her ability to do things for herself, and to not rely on others. But when her mobility started to decrease, Loretta’s daughter became concerned for her safety and wellbeing at home. Loretta… [Read More]
Wyoming

Celebrating Cooperative Month with The Local Crowd Cooperative

The Local Crowd Cooperative (TLC Cooperative) has a new ring to it. Thanks to a grant from USDA Rural Development, The Local Crowd (TLC) is transitioning its organization to a national member-owned cooperative. For nearly 10 years, The Local Crowd has worked with rural… [Read More]
Wyoming

Mixing Old Memories With New Memories

Life hasn’t always been easy for Hayley. She is a single mother and going back to school to earn a bachelors degree. After making the time for school, she felt ready to plant some roots for her and her daughter. Upon learning she was approved for a USDA Rural Development home… [Read More]
Wyoming

Locals Take the Initiative to Save and Improve Their Hospital

Aging infrastructure and technology were taking their toll on the Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital, now known as Hot Springs Health, in Thermopolis, Wyoming. However, with local demand and tourists on their way to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, patient levels… [Read More]
Wyoming

Desperate Mom Finds Help in Rural Development Programs

Her story with Rural Development began in June of 2008 when the company she had been working for went under.  The unemployed, recently divorced, single mother needed a job and place for her family to live.  By September, Kayla Caines managed to land a waitress job, but… [Read More]
Wyoming

Esterbrook Apartments Facelift Nears Completion

By the time the Wyoming Housing Network, Inc. (WHN) purchased the Esterbrook Apartments in August 2010, the twenty-unit complex in Riverton, Wyoming was dire need of renovations. Even worse, the 33-year old complex was at risk of losing its rental support from USDA Rural… [Read More]
Wyoming

Revitalizing Affordable Housing in Jackson Hole

Built in 1983, the Brandychase Apartments were showing their age. The low-income housing complex had served the resort community of Jackson Hole for over thirty years and provided affordable living for seniors and other low-income families. Facing the need for a significant… [Read More]
Wyoming

Rural Hospital Modernizes with USDA Rural Development

35 miles may not seem like a long distance, but when a Wyoming blizzard is blowing and the road is a sheet of ice, the delay could mean the difference between life or death. South Big Horn County Hospital in Basin, Wyoming carries the designation of a critical access hospital,… [Read More]
Wyoming