Thanks for visiting the USDA Rural Development California website. Here you’ll see that our agency has a proven track record of helping families purchase their first home, building critical infrastructure in rural areas, helping rural entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, and improving the viability of California’s rural economies.

We can’t do our job though, without private investment and community leadership. That’s where you come in. We have 18 offices across California – from Alturas to El Centro. I welcome you to stop in for a cup of coffee sometime and tell us about your goals. Chances are, we have a program that’s right for you. You can learn more about USDA Rural Development resources in your area by clicking on the ‘Offices’ link above, or calling our state office at (530) 792-5800.

                        -Ben Higgins, State Director

State Director's Page

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USDA RD National Office
 

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Career Opportunities with USDA RD - California

27% - The increase in vehicle traffic on state's rural roads between 1990 and 2003. 

6,000 miles  - The length of California's network of levees that protect areas from flooding. 

18% - Segment of the state's rural population that completed college in 2000 vs. 26.8% of urban population.

1.4 million  - The number of mostly rural Californians lacking broadband access at any speed  

7.1% - The unemployment rate in California's rural areas vs. 6.2% in urban areas (2004 data).

3,400 - The estimated number of California jobs saved through the help of USDA Rural Development business programs in 2007.

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, USDA Rural Development, California Chamber of Commerce

July, 2008

■ 21 - Rural Business Enterprise Grant check presentation to City of Gridley, Gridley
 

■ 23 - Rural Business Enterprise Grant check presentation to Siskiyou County Economic Development Council, Yreka

- Rural Business Enterprise Grant check presentation to Siskiyou Training and Employment Program, Weed

■ 24 - Cal-Denier Dairy Manure Digester Project Dedication & Open House, Galt

■ 30 - Grants Workshop sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer, Stockton
 

August, 2008

■ 18 - White House Faith Based and Community Initiatives Conference, Sacramento

July 21, 2008
USDA Rural Development Supports Economic Development in Gridley
State Director Ben Higgins joined the City of Gridley's Economic Development Council at their meeting Monday to announce and present a $60,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant check.

Pictured left: State Director Ben Higgins (center) discusses with the the City of Gridley's Economic Development Council their plans for the $60,000 RBEG award.  Funds will be used to help local businesses develop and expand their online presence as well as expand the city's "Gridley Marketplace" website.

Pictured right: Higgins presents a $60,000 RBEG check to the City of Gridley's Economic Development Council at their meeting outside City Hall.

July 9, 2008
USDA Rural Development Grants Assist Fresno County Entrepreneurs
State Director Ben Higgins presented two Fresno County economic development organizations with checks for their recent Rural Business Enterprise Grants.  Higgins visited with the board and staff of Central Valley Business Incubator on Wednesday, July 9 and presented them with a $60,000 check.

Pictured left: State Director Ben Higgins announces the $60,000 RBEG grant award to the CVBI board at their headquarters in Fresno.  The organization will use the funds to implement distance learning courses for small business owners in Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties.

Pictured right: Higgins presents a $60,000 RBEG check to Claude Laval, Chairman of CVBI's Board of Directors at their meeting in Fresno.

July 8, 2008
USDA Rural Development Grants Assist Fresno County Entrepreneurs
State Director Ben Higgins presented two Fresno County economic development organizations with checks for their recent Rural Business Enterprise Grants.  Higgins visited staff of Valley Small Business Development Corporation on Tuesday, July 8 and presented them with a $125,000 check.

Pictured left: State Director Ben Higgins (left) discusses with Valley Small Business Development Corp. CEO Mike Foley the use of the $125,000 RBEG grant award. VSBDC will use the funds to help small businesses in Orange Cove and Parlier access capital.

Pictured right: Higgins and USDA Rural Development Specialists Sally Tripp and Lee Takikawa present a $125,000 RBEG check to Valley Small Business Development Corporation staff outside their headquarters in Fresno.

For more pictures visit the Photo Gallery
 

In other USDA Rural Development news...

Applications for Renewable Energy Loans and Grants Invited
For complete information on application procedures and deadlines published in the March 6, 2008 Federal Register click here. 

Availability of Funds for Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Loan

Applicants interested in the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing loan program can view complete information on the application procedures published in the February 4, 2008 Federal Register or click here. 

FCC and USDA Rural Development Launch Website Focused on Rural Broadband Opportunities
The “Broadband Opportunities for Rural America” website makes available the expertise and resources of the FCC and USDA in a single, easily-accessible location and user-friendly format.  For more information or to visit the site click here.

Final Report of the California Broadband Task Force Published - "The State of Connectivity: Building Innovation Through Broadband"

The report provides a comprehensive picture of broadband deployment in rural California and includes maps of current availability and speed.  Although California was found to be a leader in broadband deployment among U.S. states, 1.4 million Californians, mostly rural, lack access to broadband at any speed.

The full report can be found at: http://www.calink.ca.gov/taskforcereport/

More news is just a click away in the USDA Rural Development News Room