Executive Director's Message

As the end of the year approaches, I’m reflecting what we’ve done and how we can continue to grow. At the start of 2022, RPN did not yet have a name and our primary audience was internal. Fast forward to today, where we have staff in place in several states, networks identified, partnerships solidified, and new collaborations developing. We have engaged diverse audiences to advance the mission of RPN and advocate for rural communities across the country.  The federal family has renewed its commitment to rural America, and we are facilitating access and minimizing barriers to federal programs. We recognize the historic opportunity in front of us and are eager to begin the next phase of development while engaging current stakeholders. We value the opportunity to bring together federal partners and rural stakeholders to provide equitable access for all rural communities. The RPN Team cherishes the opportunity to engage all facets of a community to consider its unique needs. Now that Community Networks Cohorts I and II have been identified, we welcome additional input from community members. If you live in, near, or provide service to RPN Community Networks, the team welcomes your input and looks forward to collaborating with you. Please reach out to us at RuralPartnersNetwork@usda.gov. On behalf of the RPN Team, thank you all for an amazing 2022 and we look forward to more growth and development in 2023. Happy Holidays! --Lee A. Jones, Executive Director, Rural Partners Network

Now Hiring RPN Community Liaisons

USDA Rural Development is seeking team members with community development experience who have a passion for bringing people and resources together to serve as Rural Partners Network Community Liaisons.

Rural Partners Network Community Liaison positions are full-time jobs with benefits, that include healthcare and paid sick and annual leave. Positions are currently open until December 12, 2022, in in Alaska, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. To learn more, read the Community Network blog post.

For more information and to apply, please visit USAjobs.gov and search for “Community Programs Specialist.”

RPN Adds 22 Community Networks

This month, RPN announced additional Community Networks in Alaska, Nevada, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These and the 14 previously selected communities receive on-the-ground support from full-time RPN staff members assigned to provide technical assistance tailored to the community’s unique needs and objectives. "It's important to have local people working with local leaders on the ground. Rural Partners Network is a direct line for the folks here to the folks in D.C.," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Read the full RPN news release to learn more.  Learn more about these newly selected RPN Community Networks at RURAL.gov.

RPN Networks Awarded Placemaking Funds

USDA Rural Development has announced $1.13 million to support placemaking activities impacting community networks participating in the Rural Partners Network in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and New Mexico. Placemaking is a collaborative planning and technical assistance process that helps leaders from rural communities create quality places where people will want to live, work, visit and learn. The funds are awarded through the competitive Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC) program, which announced a total of $4 million to 17 organizations nationwide in 2022. Funds will be used by recipient organizations to provide technical assistance to help people apply for and get access to government resources for projects to spur economic growth and attract jobs.

Self-Determination Contract Supports Native Foods

The Greater Menominee Community Network in Wisconsin, a partnership between the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and Menominee County, identifies agriculture, economic development, and nutritious food access among their areas of emphasis for community improvement. Participation in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Self-Determination Demonstration Project is supporting these three priorities.

Through the FDPIR Self-Determination Demonstration Project, participating Tribes enter into Self-Determination contracts with USDA to:

• Identify foods of their choosing, supporting Tribal dietary preferences;
• Purchase those foods from commercial vendors of their choice, supporting local, regional, and Tribal vendors in many cases; and
• Distribute the foods in the FDPIR food packages distributed to their Tribal members, supporting food security in Tribal communities.

The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin partnered with the Oneida Nation to purchase Tribally procured ground beef, bison, beef roast, white fish, lake trout, apples, and wild rice for FDPIR food packages distributed to Tribal members. Watch the Oneida Nation / Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin video on the Self-Determination Demonstration Project to learn more. 

Eligible Tribal Organizations are encouraged to apply for the next round of FDPIR Self-Determination Demonstration Project funding by submitting a proposal for participation by January 31, 2023. Learn more about program eligibility, criteria for participation, and the process for submitting a proposal can be found at the Federal Register website.

Stacking Programs for Strategic Planning & Broadband Buildout

The Rural Partners Network is helping rural communities create more desirable, livable, and economically viable communities. One strategy is to link rural community projects to multiple funders to “stack” capital. Read how local leaders did just that in John Day, Oregon.

Investing in Child Care Access

A common need we hear across rural America is a lack of high-quality, affordable childcare allowing parents to stay in the workforce to support children, families, businesses, and the economy. This was never more apparent than when COVID-19 became a global crisis. In response, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). The plan included $24 billion in child care stabilization grant funding.  These funds are keeping early childhood educators and family child care providers keep their doors open and provide a critical step to paving the way for a strong economic recovery and more equitable future. To learn how these vital funds are being used in your state, visit the Child Care Technical Assistance website.

Making Sure Rural People Get Their Benefits

Social Security touches the lives of nearly every American. Millions count on us—retirees who worked hard their whole lives, people no longer able to work due to disability, dependents, and survivors. Social Security is committed to helping maintain the well-being and protection of the people we serve—including those in rural areas. Please share valuable information found on the Social Security blog post with others in your local community.

Caring for the Whole Rural Veteran

Each of our nation’s Veterans has a story… and their physical health is only one chapter. That’s why VA pursues a personalized Whole Health approach that addresses the full range of factors impacting Veterans’ health, well-being and overall quality of life. But for nearly five million Veterans in rural communities, several challenges, such as travel limitations and provider shortages, make it difficult or impossible to access the preventive care crucial for Whole Health. Read the full rural veteran blog post to learn more.

Meet the Team!

Alaina Sykes, RPN Community Liaison for the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Community Network in Georgia (Early, Miller, Seminole, and Terrell counties)

Alaina earned a bachelor’s degree in social psychology and master's in healthcare administration with an emphasis in rural business from Park University where she was a member of Delta Mu Delta business honor society.  She brings over 20 years of government service experience having worked for the Social Security Administration serving the community as a disability specialist, EEO counselor, and Congressional liaison.  Alaina belongs to several agricultural organizations and sells homegrown vegetables and homemade products at a local farmers market. 

Meet USDA staff hired to work full time with RPN Community Networks to advance local projects.

Ni’cholas Johnson, RPN Community Liaison for the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Community Network in Georgia (Dougherty, Worth, Mitchell and Grady counties) Ni’cholas holds a master’s degree in urban planning with a concentration in housing and community development from Alabama A&M University and is a candidate for the doctoral degree in urban and regional planning from Jackson State University. He has over six years of government service with USDA Rural Development in different capacities such as single-family and multi-family housing, community facilities, and water and wastewater programs.

Juliet Thomas, RPN Community Liaison for the Washington County Economic Alliance Community Network in Mississippi Before joining RPN, Juliet worked as a field representative for a member of the US Congress and a year as a Community Specialist for the 2020 Census. Recently, she served as a community health worker with the Plan A mobile clinic providing free healthcare to communities in the Mississippi Delta.

Maria Urias, RPN Statewide Community Liaison for Arizona (Cocopah Indian Tribe, San Carlos Apache Tribe, and Tohono O’odham Nation) Maria brings over 35 years of government service primarily in single family housing and started her government career when she was 18. From 1997-1999, she also served as an Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community (EZ/EC) outreach specialist to assist revitalization efforts in impoverished communities. She was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona and attended Arizona Western College.

Amy Wilkie, RPN Community Liaison for the Ben Hill County and City of Fitzgerald Community Network and the Emanuel County and City of Twin City Community Network in Georgia Amy brings more than twenty years of experience in commercial and residential real estate, which has resulted in strong ties in the communities of the greater Atlanta and Augusta areas. In 2018, she joined USDA Rural Development delivering single family housing loan and grant programs in rural Georgia.  Amy attended Georgia College & State University, Clark State College, and Western Governor’s University.

Gwendolyn Woodson, RPN Community Liaison for the Greater Grenada - Lake District Partnership in Mississippi Before joining RPN, Gwen served as an AmeriCorps program director. Her prior work experience also includes the community development director at the Grenada Chamber of Commerce. She has held leadership positions on the boards of several community organization. Gwen is naturally driven to move communities forward by connecting them to federal resources and truly understands the need to do so.  She is excited about bringing her expertise and energy to the Rural Partners Network.

Jyles Zellner, RPN Community Liaison for the for the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Community Network in Georgia (Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, and Lee counties) After earning a bachelor’s degree of agricultural economics from Fort Valley State University, Jyles began his career as a single-family housing technician for USDA Rural Development in Georgia. Over the past seven years, he has also worked as a loan specialist in Rural Development’s community, multi-family housing, and single-family housing programs in both Utah and Georgia. Jyles is proud of the work he has done to serve rural communities while also mentoring youth in his hometown

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Visit RURAL.gov to find a more comprehensive list of programs to help your rural community.

Programs

Thriving Communities Program This U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) program provides technical assistance to communities and organizations that have had limited past success in applying for or receiving Federal transportation funding, or successfully delivering integrated infrastructure and community development projects. Interested communities must submit Letters of Interest by 12/6/2022.

Save America’s Treasures https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservationfund/sat-grant-info.htm

Nonprofits and state, local and Tribal governments may apply to the U.S. Department of the Interior for grants to preservation and/or conserve Nationally Significant properties and collections. Application Deadline: 12/20/2022

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPILP) Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPILP)

USDA Rural Development provides grant funding to nonprofit intermediary lenders who finance, or plan to finance, the start-up, expansion, operation of slaughter or other processing of meat and poultry. Application Deadline: 12/31/2022

Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants This USDA Rural Development program provides funds for organizations that assist communities with water and/or wastewater operations through technical assistance and training. Application Deadline: 12/31/2022

Walmart Foundation Community Grant Program The Walmart foundation offers grants to local government, nonprofits, schools and other organizations to support local needs in their service area. Application Deadline: 12/31/2022

AmeriCorps State and National Grants https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=343155

State, local, and Tribal government, nonprofits, and higher education institutions may apply for funding for service and volunteer programs that strengthen communities and solve local problems, including those found in rural and underserved areas. Application Deadline: 1/4/2023

The New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program) https://www.cdfifund.gov/programs-training/programs/new-markets-tax-credit

The U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) helps economically distressed communities attract private capital by providing investors with a Federal tax credit. Investments used to finance businesses, breathing new life into neglected, underserved low-income communities. Application Deadline: 1/25/2023

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grants https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=343078

These U.S. Department of Homeland Security grants support pre-disaster mitigation activities to build capacity to help identify mitigation actions and implement projects that reduce risks posed by natural hazards. Application Deadline: 1/27/2023

Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants

This year, USDA will award $64 million in DLT grants to state and local governmental entities, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. Funds may be used for real-time, interactive distance learning and telemedicine services in rural and tribal areas to increase access to education, training and health care resources that are otherwise limited or unavailable. Application Deadline:1/30/2023

Rural Business Development Grants https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-business-development-grants

This USDA grant to state and local government, nonprofits, Tribes and others supports economic development and job creation for people in rural America. Funds may be used to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Application Deadline: 2/28/2023

Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD)  https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/strategic-economic-and-community-development

USDA is seeking applications for projects that align with regional economic and community development plans that support thriving rural communities Potential applicants can learn more about SECD by watching this short video: Investing in Rural Communities Through Strategic Economic and Community Development - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MB0VnEUiAI

Programs for Tribes

Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples Community Vitality Grants Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples Community Vitality Grants

These grants support projects that are rooted in relationship to land, healing, cultural revitalization, honoring elder and youth relationships and nurturing cultural transmission strategies. Application Deadline: 12/7/2022

Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples: Thriving Women Program Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples: Thriving Women Program

These grants support grassroots projects to empower indigenous women-led work to prevent violence and support thriving native peoples and families. Application Deadline: 12/7/2022

Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Development Grant Program Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Development Grant Program

This National Park Service grant provides scholarly study or to establish programs in Native Hawaiian or Alaska Native art and culture. Application Deadline: 1/9/2023

Native American Congressional Internship Native American Congressional Internship

The Udall Foundation provides American Indian and Alaska Native students with the opportunity to gain practical experience with the federal legislative process to understand first-hand the government-to-government relationship between Tribes and the federal government. Application Deadline: 1/31/2023

Learning

Webinar: Open Field – Ensuring Rural Communities Welcome Everyone. Friday, December 9, 1-2:00 pm Eastern Time. The Aspen Institute is hosting a webinar to better understand how suspicion of outsiders in rural areas serves as a structural barrier to economic development. This will present opportunities to address the change of demographics within rural communities and how to promote equity through diversity. Virtual | Register here

Webinar: Strategic Economic and Community Development for Stakeholders. Tuesday, December 13, 2:00-3:00 pm Eastern Time. The 2018 Farm Bill authorized USDA to make reserved program funding available under the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) initiative to implement multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plans. This webinar will provide an overview of SECD projects, participating covered programs, and review the FY 2023 SECD application requirements, process, and timelines. Virtual | Register here

Veteran’s Administration (VA) Listening Sessions https://news.va.gov/111511/va-host-town-halls-pact-act-week-of-action/

The VA is hosting 90+ in-person town hall events around the country to discuss new eligibilities and benefits for Veterans. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has questions on PACT Act eligibility or how to get started.

Opportunities for Public Input

Opportunity to Challenge New FCC National Broadband Map On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shared its new draft National Broadband Map which was created as a result of legislation in 2020. The new map shows broadband availability at a more granular level, compared with the FCC’s prior map that was based on the Census block level. Regional organizations are encouraged to review the map for accuracy in your organization's service area and submit challenges to the data. Further analysis is available here.

Contact Us

Please visit RURAL.gov to learn more about the Rural Partners Network.

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• Contact us at RuralPartnersNetwork@usda.gov.