Congressmen Davis and Gonzales Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Increased Support for Underserved Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Don Davis(NC-01) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide increased technical assistance to geographically underserved rural communities. The Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide technical assistance to strengthen local capacity and improve access to rural development programs for geographically underserved and distressed rural areas directly or through cooperative agreements.
“Historically, eastern North Carolina communities and local organizations have faced many challenges in receiving the same level of support as others across the state and the country,” said Congressman Don Davis. "As a former mayor of a small town, I've witnessed firsthand that obtaining federal grants and technical assistance for community development is no easy task. Strengthening collaboration with USDA Rural Development is crucial to ensuring these communities receive the support they need, and the bipartisan Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act stands as a vital solution, offering essential assistance and recognizing local partners as invaluable allies in uplifting rural communities."
“Far too often, rural communities are left out of the picture when it comes to access to federal development programs and grants. One of my top priorities in Congress is to get funding out of Washington and back into South and West Texas communities,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX). “The Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act will provide technical assistance for applicants and improve access to rural development programs to help deliver funding back to Texas and rural communities across the country.”
“RCAP proudly supports the Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act, and thanks Rep. Davis for introducing this bill. Technical assistance is vital for underserved and distressed communities to be able to increase local capacity and supplement limited human capital. RCAP is already focused on helping rural, Tribal, and Colonias communities become more sustainable and resilient, and looks forward to continuing our strong working relationship with USDA to improve the quality of life for more Americans,” said Olga Morales-Pete, CEO of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership.
“For too long, communities located in geographically underserved and distressed areas have lacked the critical support and technical assistance to understand access and use the rural development programs they urgently need. We thank Rep. Davis and his colleagues for developing a bill that will help quickly bridge the digital divide, and connect these communities to vitally needed services,” said Lorette Picciano, Executive Director of the Rural Coalition.
Sixteen out of the nineteen counties in North Carolina’s First Congressional District are socially vulnerable, according to the CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Further, all nineteen counties are at medium levels or higher.
The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), the Rural Coalition, and the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA (NCBA CLUSA) endorse the Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act.
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