Biden-Harris Administration Announces the Rural Partners Network to Empower Rural Communities to Access Federal Resources
President Biden is committed to ensuring federal resources and opportunities that can benefit rural America actually reach rural America. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is launching the Rural Partners Network (RPN), a new whole-of-government effort led by the USDA to transform the way federal agencies partner with rural places to create economic opportunity.
To transform how the federal government partners with and delivers economic opportunity for rural communities across the United States, RPN will bring the federal government to rural America. New federal field staff will be placed in more than 25 rural communities in multiple US states, Tribal Nations and territories to help local leaders navigate and access the federal resources they need to build a strong and vibrant economy. Through this unique partnership, RPN staff will also identify challenges preventing rural communities from accessing federal support to inform the work of the Rural Prosperity Interagency Policy Council, a whole-of-government task force that will ensure rural places are prioritized in Washington. RPN communities will have a new direct line to DC to foster a federal government that delivers for all rural communities.
In cohort 1, by the end of May, RPN staff will be on the ground supporting selected community networks in the following EPSCoR/IDeA states and Tribal Nations:
- Kentucky
- Fulton County Partnership*: Cities of Fulton, Hickman, and Cayce
- Kentucky Highlands: Counties of Bell*, Perry*, Harlan*, Leslie*, Letcher*, Whitley, Knox, Clay*
- Mississippi
- Washington County Economic Alliance: Counties of Washington, Bolivar, Sunflower, and Leflore
- Greater Grenada-Lake District: Counties of Grenada and Yalobusha
- North Delta Planning and Development Collaborative: Counties of Coahoma, Quitman, and Tunica
- New Mexico
- Northern New Mexico Pathways: Counties of San Miguel, Taos, Mora, and Colfax
- Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments: Counties of Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna
- Mesilla Valley Partnership: Doña Ana County
The federal agencies and regional commissions participating in the Rural Prosperity Interagency Policy Council include Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of the Interior, Department of Labor, Department of Transportation, Department of the Treasury, Department of Veterans Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency, Small Business Administration, Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, Denali Commission, and Northern Border Regional Commission.
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will deliver billions to rural communities across the country to create economic opportunity. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers on the President’s promises to provide high-speed internet, safe roads and bridges, modern wastewater systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good-paying jobs in every small town and rural community.