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Funds available for rural economic development planning

Name
Danielle Logan
Email
danielle.logan@usda.gov
Phone
202.692.0324
City
Washington, D.C.
Release Date

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy today announced that USDA is providing funds to rural projects that support regional economic and community development planning.

  This Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) funding is authorized through a Farm Bill provision for applications submitted through the following programs:

  To apply for the funding, applicants must meet underlying program requirements and submit the Form RD 1980-88 to the nearest USDA office. Program funds available under SECD expire on June 30, 2020. Additional information is available on page 11947 of the Feb. 28, 2020, Federal Register.

  Interested parties can learn more about this opportunity during a webinar on Thursday, March 12 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the webinar at https://globalmeetwebinar.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1280242&tp_key=afc1a74d59.

  USDA encourages applications that will support recommendations made in the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB) to help improve the quality of life in rural America. Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships and innovation. Key strategies include:

  • Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America
  • Developing the Rural Economy
  • Harnessing Technological Innovation
  • Supporting a Rural Workforce
  • Improving Quality of Life  

USDA also encourages applications that will support the Administration’s goal to combat substance use disorder, including opioid misuse, in high-risk rural communities by strengthening the capacity to address prevention, treatment and/or recovery.

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