USDA looking for simplified rural development application process

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) leaders are looking to ensure that billions in government funding are easier to access by the rural communities many federal programs are meant to serve. USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small highlighted USDA's ReConnect Program, which is currently seeing more applications than available funding. Undersecretary Small says there are many ways rural development programs can better serve people living in those areas, though Smalls has been pressed by lawmakers to simplify the ReConnect application process. Progress is being made despite concerns from USDA and private sector groups about the accuracy of rural broadband coverage maps; Undersecretary Smalls noted that “we must not rely only on maps to make funding decisions."