Progress Report: USDA Investments Make Big Impact for Rural America in 2015

USDA Rural Development's 2015 Progress Report provides an overview of activities in 2015 that resulted in nearly $30 billion in investments in rural America. The report includes success stories from every state illustrating the many ways USDA helps finance infrastructure improvements and boosts economic development in rural areas. Partnerships with private lenders, non-profit organizations and community-based groups are key to USDA's success in rural areas.

For example, USDA is partnering with rural telecommunications utilities to bring high-speed broadband to rural communities. In 2015, people who live in and near Raymondville, Texas, began using fast Internet access at the local library to apply for jobs and file their taxes as a result of a USDA Rural Development loan to the Valley Telephone Cooperative. Adult learners in Raymondville are taking advantage of web-based education programs thanks to their new high-speed Internet service. The report also sums up Rural Development investments since 2009. Under President Obama, USDA Rural Development has invested $11 billion in more than 103,000 rural businesses to start or expand their operations; helped more than 1 million rural residents buy homes; funded nearly 7,000 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; financed 180,000 miles of new and improved electric transmission and distribution lines; supported 254 broadband projects completed with funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, bringing high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents, 17,500 businesses and 1,900 community facilities; and partnered in many other efforts to improve the economic conditions and quality of life for rural Americans.