RTRP Hosts USDA Rural Development Listening Tour

Date Published: May 4, 2018

On May 2^nd and 3^rd the Research Triangle Regional Partnership hosted USDA Rural Development listening tours in Lee, Johnston, and Granville Counties, all members of the Partnership. USDA Rural Development State Director Bob Chandler brought members of his team and met with local elected officials, business leaders, economic developers and community members on the needs of their rural communities.

The topics discussed ranged from broadband access, water and sewer projects, hospitals, tele-health programs, small business incubators and shovel ready sites. The USDA Rural Development team also informed the audiences of over 40 grant and loan programs they have available to help rural communities grow and thrive.

Executive Director Ryan Combs said, “From my experience working in the Federal Government, I know what a true asset USDA Rural Development is for our rural communities. Whether it’s helping fund a new firetruck for a small town, to financing a downtown revitalization project, to supporting  water and sewer projects, the USDA RD program can help. It was a great opportunity for the rural counties in our partnership to meet Bob Chandler and his team, to discuss the needs they have, and to learn how USDA RD can play a role in the vitality of their communities.”

For more information on all that USDA Rural Development does for our local rural communities go to https://www.rd.usda.gov/.