Dan Campbell (202) 720-6483
dan.campbell@usda.gov
Dustin Johnson (202) 690-4746
dujohnso@rdmail.rural.usda.gov

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 18, 2000--Agriculture Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger today joined California officials in signing an agreement creating the California Rural Development Council. The council, which includes representatives from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, will work on a broad array of issues to improve living conditions for the more than 2 million Californians living in rural areas of the state.

"Despite a surging state and national economy, rural areas of California still face daunting challenges, from the need for more affordable housing to better community facilities and business development that will create higher paying jobs in rural areas," said Rominger. "The California Rural Development Council will play a major role in this effort by helping to focus attention on the state's most pressing needs and identifying resources to solve problems. USDA looks forward to being an active partner in the council."

All 37 state councils across the country are part of the National Rural Development Partnership (NRDP) that works with public and private partners to address and respond to rural issues. NRDP federal partners include the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Labor.

"Having California as part of the NRDP is an important accomplishment in building this organization into a true, national network," Rominger said. "As different as rural areas across the country are, many rural communities face a similar array of problems, including the need for better access to healthcare, overcoming the digital divide and workforce development."

For more information about NRDP or any of the State Rural Development Councils, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/nrdp or call (202) 690-4746.

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