USDA Investments in Rural Opportunity

Since 2009, the US Department of Agriculture's partnership with America's rural communities has supported the emergence of a more vibrant, diverse rural economy led by makers, creators and innovators. Under the leadership of President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, USDA has made significant and transformative investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure that have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening our nation's economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA investments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) have brought new and improved high-speed internet service to six million Americans who live and work in rural areas. ARRA investments have built on rural broadband service expansion which has increased access to state-of-the-art health care, educational and cultural resources, and provided rural businesses the connectivity needed to compete in the global economy.