White House announces $5 billion in new investments for rural America

Key Takeaways

On Wednesday, November 1, the White House announced $5 billion in new investments for a wide-ranging series of rural programs.

Here is where the funding is going:

• $1.7 billion in investments for voluntary agriculture conservation programs.
• $1.1 billion in investments in rural infrastructure, including municipal water systems, rural roads and bridges and energy systems.
• $2 billion in investments for economic development initiatives in rural communities served by the Rural Partners Network. 
• $274 million to expand rural broadband infrastructure deployment.
• $145 million to reduce energy costs and expand access to renewable energy in rural America. 

These investments will empower county governments to improve infrastructure and services in rural areas that are essential to our residents. 

Here’s why these investments are being made:

• Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said there is “tremendous demand” for USDA agricultural conservation programs such as the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The $850 million program received over $2 billion in requests. 
• Rural counties and the communities we serve often lack the capacity to compete for funding opportunities with metropolitan areas. These investments will be made specifically for rural areas that face the greatest obstacles in accessing federal resources. 
• Senior Advisor to the President said that “high-speed internet can close the rural health gap, help farmers utilize precision agriculture and connect people to jobs, education and economic opportunity. 

Counties applaud federal efforts to expand investments in rural America:

• Rural counties often face challenges in receiving federal funding. Targeted investment in rural America help reduce inequalities across America.
• Investments in rural counties allow funding to reach rural communities with the greatest need. 
• Counties support investments into small and beginning farming operations, in this case through funding for climate-smart agricultural practices.