Liz Friedlander (202) 225-1564
Liz.Friedlander@mail.house.gov

James Ryder (202) 225-0020
James.Ryder@mail.house.gov

 - Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing to review innovative approaches to rural development. 

“Rural communities face challenging obstacles in securing jobs and economic development opportunities,” said Chairman McIntyre.  “Today’s hearing provided us with some powerful examples of innovative approaches that can help rural communities grow and thrive, and this Subcommittee will continue to listen, work, and help rural citizens use their ingenuity, hard work, and drive to build a better tomorrow.”

“Population shifts continue to present challenges for agricultural communities. Providing opportunities for rural America to meet these problems has become an increasingly important component of our agricultural policy," said Ranking Member Michael Conaway of Texas.  “Today’s testimony provided us with a better understanding of the issues confronting rural communities, and the innovative approaches that state and local entities are taking to improve our rural economies.” 

Rural communities have always faced challenges in securing sufficient infrastructure investment to connect disperse populations, providing services to rural citizens, and attracting or growing job opportunities.  The current state of the economy creates additional hurdles.  Rural communities have lost a higher percentage of jobs than have urban areas, according to a recent report published by the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI).

The Subcommittee heard testimony from researchers, educators and community leaders on approaches to rural development that have led to success in communities around the country.

The opening statements of all witnesses are available on the Committee website at http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.

 

Witness List:

Panel I

Mr. William Lambe, Associate Director, Community and Economic Development Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Dr. Deborah M. Markley, Managing Director and Director of Research, RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Mr. Jeff Yost, President and CEO, Nebraska Community Foundation, Lincoln, Nebraska

Mr. Robert J. Thompson, Executive Director, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, and Vice-Chair, Rural Development Task Force of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), Auburn, Maine

Dr. Randy Smith, President, Rural Community College Alliance, Altus, Oklahoma

http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov

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