
-
BlogOn April 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide.USDA outlines CARES Act funding opportunities for rural communitiesApril 22, 2020April 22, 2020, 5:00 pm
-
Blog
USDA outlines CARES Act funding opportunities for rural communities
On April 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide. The guide serves as a “one-stop-shop” for federal funding opportunities available to rural communities through the CARES Act and other programs. Not only does the guide provide an outline on USDA programs, but links rural communities with funding opportunities, social programs and guidelines for implementation across several federal agencies.
To provide immediate relief to rural counties in need, the USDA has extended the deadline on many of their loan services and amended provisions to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the CARES Act. Deadline extensions, which vary by state, include:
- Rural Development Guaranteed Loan Programs
- Rural Housing Service
- Rural Utilities Service
- Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Additionally, the CARES Act allocates $100 million for the USDA ReConnect program. The USDA has not provided details on the allocation, but a recent press release states that the funding will be awarded as grants. The CARES Act also provides the USDA with $25 million for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program.
Other programs outlined in the USDA Resource Guide also fall under funding outlined in the CARES Act or existing federal programs. Although the guide outlines the existing federal opportunities for rural communities, there needs to be more direct funding for these populations. Counties are on the frontlines for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic across the board and direct relief should be available to all local communities.
NACo continues to provide information and support to counties during the COVID-19 public health emergency on our online resource page.
Additional COVID-19 Federal Resources to Support Rural Communities include:
- SAMHSA virtual addiction recovery resources
- FTA Emergency Relief Program
- FCC waives Rural Health Care and E-Rate program Rules
On April 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide.2020-04-22Blog2023-04-12
On April 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide. The guide serves as a “one-stop-shop” for federal funding opportunities available to rural communities through the CARES Act and other programs. Not only does the guide provide an outline on USDA programs, but links rural communities with funding opportunities, social programs and guidelines for implementation across several federal agencies.
To provide immediate relief to rural counties in need, the USDA has extended the deadline on many of their loan services and amended provisions to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the CARES Act. Deadline extensions, which vary by state, include:
- Rural Development Guaranteed Loan Programs
- Rural Housing Service
- Rural Utilities Service
- Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Additionally, the CARES Act allocates $100 million for the USDA ReConnect program. The USDA has not provided details on the allocation, but a recent press release states that the funding will be awarded as grants. The CARES Act also provides the USDA with $25 million for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program.
Other programs outlined in the USDA Resource Guide also fall under funding outlined in the CARES Act or existing federal programs. Although the guide outlines the existing federal opportunities for rural communities, there needs to be more direct funding for these populations. Counties are on the frontlines for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic across the board and direct relief should be available to all local communities.
NACo continues to provide information and support to counties during the COVID-19 public health emergency on our online resource page.
Additional COVID-19 Federal Resources to Support Rural Communities include:
- SAMHSA virtual addiction recovery resources
- FTA Emergency Relief Program
- FCC waives Rural Health Care and E-Rate program Rules

-
Blog
Lower Basin States strike agreement to preserve water supply in Colorado River Basin
On May 22, the state governments of Arizona, California and Nevada, in conjunction with the Biden Administration, announced a breakthrough deal that will protect the Colorado River’s water supply through 2026. -
Blog
U.S. Forest Service announces $1 billion in available funding through Urban and Community Forestry Program
On April 12, the U.S. Forest Service announced that it will make $1 billion in funding available through the Urban and Community Forestry Program to support community investments in urban tree canopies. -
Blog
NACo sends letter to Congressional leadership outlining county priorities for 2023 Farm Bill
On March 28, NACo sent a letter to Congressional leadership of the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees calling for the inclusion of key county priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill. -
Video
Counties testify on public lands management and the 2023 Farm Bill
Idaho County, Idaho Commissioner Skip Brandt testifies on the county role in public lands management and share recommendations for how the 2023 Farm Bill can strengthen the partnership between counties and our federal partners -
County News
Key staff stress broadband, bipartisanship in new farm bill
NACo members heard from Congressional committee staff crucial to the farm bill's passage and NACo released counties' priorities for the legislation. -
Blog
NACo Releases County Priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill
The National Association of Counties (NACo), which represents all of America's 3,069 county governments, seeks to work with our federal partners to develop a substantive farm bill to strengthen federal resources that allow counties to make critical investments in our nation's most underserved populations.
-
Conference
2024 Western Interstate Region Conference
May 8, 2024 – May 10, 2024Save the date for the 2024 Western Interstate Region Conference Mariposa County, Calif. May 8-10Mariposa County, Calif.05088:00 am<p>Save the date for the 2024 Western Interstate Region Conference</p>
<p>Mariposa County, Calif.<br />
May 8-10</p>
-
Basic page
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. Policy Platform 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. </p>
Related Posts
-
BlogLower Basin States strike agreement to preserve water supply in Colorado River BasinMay. 25, 2023
-
BlogU.S. Forest Service announces $1 billion in available funding through Urban and Community Forestry ProgramApr. 17, 2023
-
BlogNACo sends letter to Congressional leadership outlining county priorities for 2023 Farm BillApr. 6, 2023
Related Resources
-
VideoCounties testify on public lands management and the 2023 Farm BillMar. 8, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction ActFeb. 22, 2023
-
Policy BriefSupport County Priorities as Congress Begins Work on Next Farm BillJan. 25, 2023
Related Events
-
8May2024Conference
2024 Western Interstate Region Conference
May. 8, 2024 – May. 10, 2024Mariposa County, Calif.
More From
-
Primer for Counties: 2023 Farm Bill Reauthorization
NACo's primer on the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization breaks down the process counties can expect this year, highlights key county priorities and explains how counties can access funds authorized through the Farm Bill.
Learn More