Community and Economic Development Programs

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Community and Economic Development Programs
The Office of Community and Economic Development (CED) administers rural community and regional development programs within USDA Rural Development. The programs demonstrate how every rural community or region can achieve self-sufficiency through innovative and comprehensive strategic plans developed and implemented at a grassroots level. The programs stress continued local involvement and decision making, which is supported by partnerships among private, public and nonprofit entities. Please contact us for further information or to jump start your local community development process in your community or region!

Community and Economic Development Assistance
Technical Assistance and Resources
Rural Community Empowerment Program
Champion Program
National Rural Development Partnership
REAP Zones
Statutory Authorities

Spotlight
Community Development Publications
 

In The News:

Regional Partnerships move ahead - 5 Cooperative Agreements are signed with regional partners.

• Partnership Building and Regional Collaboration - a USDA RD and Partners for Rural America initiative to develop and implement partnership building and regional collaboration plans in each of four regions with key institutions.

• Targeted Rural Economic Development Strategies - a USDA RD and Regional Rural Development Centers partnership to modify the Economic Development Administration's Know Your Region curriculum for use in rural regions. The four Centers will also provide economic analysis to selected regions.

• Innovative Connections for Rural Wealth Creation - To generate and support collaborations between rural and urban organizations to increase innovation and wealth creation opportunities in rural areas through the creation and use of the Minnesota Rural-Urban Partnering Council (MRUPC).

• Forest-Based Sustainable Rural Development in the Dry Forest Zone - To increase the vitality of rural communities, working forests, businesses and entrepreneurs in the Dry Forest Zone (CA and OR) and to develop a regional model to increase the viability of sustainable forestry in rural communities in partnership with Sustainable Northwest.

• The South Texas Regional Rural Economic Development Strategy Pilot Project - To create economic growth and jobs in the agriculture industry in south Texas in partnership with the University of Texas – Pan American.

Contact Information:
• Telephone: 202-720-4581 or 800-670-6553
   Fax: 202-401-7311 or 202- 720-2080
• USDA Rural Development/OCED , Room 205-W
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW Mail Stop 0107
   Washington, DC 20250
 

Name                  Phone           
Victor Vasquez     202-720-4581  Deputy Under Secretary 
Stacy Brayboy      202-720-4581  Director
Shayna Cherry      202-441-0394  Confidential Assistant
David Sears          202-690-4749  david.sears@wdc.usda.gov
Suzette Agans       202-401-1922  suzette.agans@wdc.usda.gov   
Amy Cavanaugh    202-260-1506  amy.cavanaugh@wdc.usda.gov 
Sharon Colbert     202- 260-5952  sharon.colbert@wdc.usda.gov
Jim Jacobs            202-619-0139   James.jacobs@wdc.usda.gov
Lori Grandison      202-401-2720   lori.grandison@wdc.usda.gov