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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Community and economic development

Sep 18, 2023 - Discussion of the impact of farmers markets in rural Virginia where food deserts and poverty are common. Many markets now accept supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) funds as well as coupons from a state run program for SNAP recipients. More work needs to be done to market the SNAP benefit at farmers markets.
Source: VPM
Sep 14, 2023 - Announcement from USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service inviting applications for loans and grants under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Programs for fiscal year 2024. Awards will be made based on the amount of funding available through the appropriations process. RBS encourages applicants to consider projects focusing on assisting rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities through improved infrastructure; ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to USDA Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD-funded projects; and reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDL and REDG)
Sep 14, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service invites applications for the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) for fiscal year 2024. IRP provides direct loans to intermediaries for the establishment of revolving loan programs for the purpose of providing loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and community developments in rural areas. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and compete for available funds on a quarterly basis.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Intermediary Relending Program (IRP)
Sep 14, 2023 - Announcement of $44 million in grant funding awarded from the U.S. Department of Labor, Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, and Northern Border Regional Commission. Projects will provide training and support services to increase employment in rural and other areas in various industries include broadband, cybersecurity, and healthcare.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Sep 11, 2023 - Describes the impact of "recovery-friendly workplaces" in rural areas. Recovery-friendly workplaces are employers with policies supportive of those recovering from substance misuse. Notes that rural places can be less private and that stigma can still impact the job prospects of someone in recovery. Also discusses the economic benefits of recovery-friendly workplaces for rural areas with a small workforce pool.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Aug 31, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service (RHS) is accepting applications for Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Disaster Repair Grant Program. Up to $2.5 million in grant funding will be awarded to eligible applicants to provide technical assistance for repairing essential community facilities damaged by Presidentially declared disasters in calendar year 2022. Electronic submissions are due November 24, 2023, and paper submissions must be received by November 29, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Community Facilities Program Disaster Repair Grants
Aug 21, 2023 - A partnership between urban Clark county and rural Lincoln county in Nevada has led to the creation of a 4-H camp in Lincoln county. At the camp urban children get to experience rural activities while Lincoln county benefits economically. The project has created jobs and gives Lincoln county an asset to use when the camp is not in session.
Source: National Association of Counties
Aug 15, 2023 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on forms related to Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP). ECIP will promote greater competition in the provision of wireless services, facilitate increased availability of advanced wireless services in rural areas, facilitate new opportunities for small carriers and Tribal Nations to increase access to spectrum, and bring more advanced wireless service to underserved communities. Comments are due by October 16, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 14, 2023 - Describes healthcare workforce changes in rural Pennsylvania between 2010 and 2020. Growth of the primary care physician and specialist workforce is evident in urban areas but declined in rural areas. Discusses growth in other healthcare professions in rural areas, suggesting that they may be filling the gaps. Notes that robust healthcare is important for rural areas not just for the health outcomes of the residents but also as an economic driver and community vitality.
Source: The Center Square
Aug 10, 2023 - Describes challenges for rural colleges and universities, discussing closures, decreasing enrollment, and more. Highlights Kentucky's University of Pikeville, a rural university defying national trends. University officials and education experts cite the University's medical school one reason for their success, noting that the University is a leader in producing rural practicing physicians.
Source: WBUR