State Director Ben Higgins
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About
USDA Rural Development in California
RD
California Fast Facts
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In terms of geography,
culture, history, and economic condition, rural California is incredibly
diverse. The dozens of California counties which are predominantly rural
contain some of the most rapidly growing communities in the state, areas
gripped by long-term decline, and everything in between.
Our mission at USDA
Rural Development is nothing less than to increase economic opportunity
and improve the quality of life in these rural communities - and that’s
every bit as broad as it sounds. It is also a mission that has changed
over time. Not too many years ago, you knew us as the Rural
Electrification Administration and the Farmers Home Administration.
Today, you can think of USDA Rural Development as an investment bank for
economic and community development in rural America.
Since 2001, USDA Rural
Development California has invested over $2 billion in our
state’s rural economies in the form of loans, grants, and technical
assistance for affordable housing, critical infrastructure, community
facilities, outreach to rural businesses and cooperatives, and aid to
local government. Just in the last fiscal year, we invested nearly $47
million to build, renovate, and expand water and sewer infrastructure in
rural areas, over $19 million to build community facilities, such as
schools, healthcare centers, libraries, and childcare facilities, and
enable law enforcement, fire, and rescue agencies to better serve rural
California. We’ve helped over 350 families move into their first home,
and through our business and cooperative programs obligated more than
$100 million in loan guarantees to help rural entrepreneurs start and
grow their businesses.
Numbers, however, don’t
tell the whole story. These dollars represent water lines laid,
hospitals built, businesses started and jobs created. They represent
families moving into new homes, and affordable rental housing in small
towns here in California. I am extremely proud of the proven ability of
our team to leverage existing human and financial capital in rural
areas, and build a better future for rural Americans.
California's small
towns and rural areas face both challenges and dramatic new
opportunities. I am absolutely committed to working with rural
communities and entrepreneurs in our great state to meet those
challenges head-on, and seize the many opportunities that rural
California enjoys today. I encourage you to spend some time on this
website learning more about the many programs and services we provide,
and I welcome you to contact me at (530)792-5800, or one of our
18 local offices.
Ben
Higgins
State Director
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Rural
Development and the 2008 Farm Bill
