The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would be required to reserve 2.5 percent of funding from Rural Development grant programs to provide a technical assistance set aside to rural communities with infrastructure, housing, and economic development needs under legislation introduced on Feb. 13 by U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA).
The Empowering Rural Communities Act, H.R. 7579, would provide more assistance for rural communities seeking federal grants while also requiring the federal government to publicly disclose the results achieved by USDA Rural Development spending.
“More must be done to support rural communities seeking support for infrastructure, housing, and small business growth,” Rep. Letlow said. “My Empowering Rural Communities Act will ensure our small towns receive needed help navigating government bureaucracy when pursuing grant funding, while showing taxpayers exactly what the money was spent on and what results were produced.”
The targeted technical assistance provided to rural communities under H.R. 7579 would help level the playing field so rural taxpayers have a fairer opportunity to access federal resources, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Letlow’s office.
Additionally, H.R. 7579 would require the USDA to submit and publicly post an annual report to Congress showing how the funds were used and what results they produced, the summary says.
The measure has been referred to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee for consideration.