Rural Economic Development Gets Support on Capitol Hill
The campaign includes national organizations that represent state and local elected officials, community and economic development practitioners, health care professionals, educational institutions, energy cooperatives, entrepreneurs, sustainable agriculture, civic leaders and others rural stakeholders.
NACo President Colleen Landkamer kicked off the campaign recently at a Capitol Hill news conference, pledging to support lawmakers in crafting “a bold and vibrant commitment to rural America.” The Farm Bill is up for reauthorization this year, and the campaign wants to ensure the legislation includes funding for development of rural communities in areas such as broadband deployment and entrepreneurial programs.
Harkin and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) joined a diverse group of national organizations — representing rural and urban interests — in launching the effort April 25.
“Your cause is my cause,” declared Harkin, (D-Iowa). “You have my pledge that I intend to do everything in my power as ‘Ag’ chairman to get a new farm bill with the strongest possible boost to rural development.”
Clinton echoed his support, saying, “We’re going to work together and under Tom’s leadership make some real progress when it comes to our rural development needs around the country.” While she is not on the Ag committee, Clinton recently introduced The Rural Investment to Strengthen our Economy Act (Rural RISE Act), whose goals are similar to the desired rural development title’s.
Landkamer, who chairs the campaign, said the coalition wants a rural development title that also fully funds infrastructure improvements — such as water and wastewater programs — community facility development, and entrepreneurship and health care, among other activities and programs.
The campaign includes national organizations that represent state and local elected officials, community and economic development practitioners, health care professionals, educational institutions, energy cooperatives, entrepreneurs, sustainable agriculture, civic leaders and others rural stakeholders.
Among the members are the National League of Cities, the National Association of Development Organizations, the National Rural Health Associations and the Rural Community College Alliance. Campaign participants hope to:
leverage the shared commitments of member organizations to support congressional leaders who support a strong rural development title
increase awareness of the importance of all sectors to the quality of life in rural America
enhance rural America’s competitiveness in a global marketplace, and
underscore the growing interdependence of rural and urban America, and the common stake each has in assuring that the “remarkable assets” of rural America are fully optimized.
NACo chairs the Campaign for a Renewed Rural Development’s steering committee, whose other members are the Council of State Governments, the National Association of Development Organizations, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National League of Cities and the National Rural Health Association.
Citing the Southern Rural Development Initiative, campaign officials said in FY03 (latest figures available) non-metropolitan areas received $548 less per capita than metropolitan areas — $7,242 versus $6,694.
“Our organizations are strong advocates for continued federal assistance for our urban communities,” campaign officials said, “yet we also firmly believe that the federal government must provide more robust support for sustained community and economic improvements in our small cities and rural areas.”
Bill Kennedy, chairman of NACo’s Rural Action Caucus (RAC) and a Yellowstone County, Mont. commissioner, said the recent decline in federal grant funding — with a heavier reliance on loan and loan guarantee programs — has created “significant funding challenges for many rural communities.”
Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.), who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, was also present and stressed the importance of a strong federal commitment to rural America. “If we don’t invest in educational opportunities, in health care initiatives for rural communities,” said “we’re going to be starving the rural communities that literally grow the farmers that grow our food.”
Agriculture Department Under Secretary Thomas Dorr thanked campaign members “for the attention that you’re bringing to this effort.” He added that the George W. Bush administration “is submitting a very strong rural development title in the farm bill proposal.”
Despite, Dorr’s signal, Harkin said it’ll be a tough row to hoe. “We’re going to have to fight for it. There are a lot of competing interests trying to shape the Farm Bill, and as you know, we’re under some really limited funding conditions.”
