There is a strong federal and state government partnership to address unique challenges and problems in California’s rural communities.
Without fanfare, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development works with individuals, groups, nonprofit business development and housing organizations, law enforcement, schools, libraries, healthcare facilities and others to funnel millions of dollars in grants, loans and technical assistance to rural communities. The same USDA that has played a supporting role to the world’s most productive farmers and ranchers also serves rural residents, small businesses and local communities through rural development programs.
Recently, USDA Rural Development awarded more than $675,000 in economic impact initiative grants to rural communities, including two grants in Imperial County. A $50,000 Rural Development grant went to the Imperial County Probation Department to purchase radio and dispatch equipment. A $60,000 grant was awarded to the city of Westmorland to help renovate a youth center. These funds, added to the $1.5 billion that Rural Development has invested in California in the past five years, help make neighborhoods safer and more enjoyable for citizens.
Rural Development is not alone in blazing a trail of economic progress in rural communities. Valuable partners have joined our mission to serve rural California. Each year, we work with local communities that apply for EII grants, knowing there is strong competition with other states. There is no guarantee our requests for grant funding will be approved, but this year we submitted 17 grant requests and received 17 grant approvals.
While we are gratified with this record of accomplishment, credit must also go to other partners, including Vicki Bradshaw, a member of the governor’s cabinet. Under her leadership, Bradshaw’s staff worked closely with Rural Development personnel to gather information to help qualify communities that have a “non-employment rate” of more than 19.5 percent.
We could not have done it without her help and without the dedication of her staff. It is a testament to good government, and it shows what can be accomplished when federal, state and local agencies work together.
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