The U.S. Department of Agriculture may be an enigma to some Americans, especially those who don’t drive tractors or milk cows for a living. But the lives and livelihoods of our nation’s citizens would not be the same without USDA. One of the key departments within USDA is Rural Development, whose mission is to bring housing, modern telecommunications, safe drinking water and a bumper crop of benefits to our country’s rural communities.

What is USDA Rural Development? Simply, it is a positive force to improve the health of rural communities across the Golden State. USDA Rural Development, through its various loan and grant programs, has changed the rural landscape and improved the quality of life of rural residents.  With 18 local offices -- from Eureka to Fresno to El Centro - USDA Rural Development supports public facilities and services, including water and sewer systems; single-family, multi-family and farmworker housing; assistance to small businesses; help in fighting rural crime; assistance to rural schools and other forms of assistance.

USDA Rural Development in California is a one-stop service center that responds to the critical economic needs of rural towns, business entrepreneurs and rural residents. Despite California’s stature as the nation’s most populous state, dozens of counties are dominated by rural areas.

The USDA Rural Development Team in California had a highly productive year in 2007, boosting the economic strength of rural communities across the Golden State. Details are presented in the USDA Rural Development California 2007 Annual Report.

In fiscal 2007, Rural Development invested over $400 million in rural communities in the form of grants, loans and technical assistance for housing, community programs, and business and industry programs. There was strong outreach to small businesses to create and save jobs, and there was unprecedented support to first-responders in 2007 to make neighborhoods safer and stronger.   

Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Program  invested over $104 million in affordable housing for rural residents. Our Community Program contributed another $111 million in assistance in the form of loans, grants and technical expertise for water and waste water projects, aid to first responders and other vital community projects.

More than $108 million in loans and grants were approved through our Business and Cooperative Program. These funds are used to help rural entrepreneurs and cooperatives grow jobs and economic prosperity all along Main Streets of small towns and rural areas.

Rural Development’s Multi-Family Housing Program helps provide and maintain affordable rental housing for low-income families and farmworkers. Nearly $81 million was committed through these programs in fiscal year 2007. 

Rural communities hunger for economic development, new jobs, better schools, stronger infrastructure, safer streets and affordable housing. As long as these critical needs exist in rural California, USDA Rural Development will be steadfast in its commitment to the future of rural communities.

                                                                 Ben Higgins                                                                 State Director