The House Agriculture Commodity Markets, Digital Assets and Rural Development Subcommittee on Tuesday held a hearing on stakeholder perspectives on all aspects of the Rural Development mission area at the Agriculture Department except broadband.
In an opening statement, subcommittee Chairman Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said he had asked the witnesses for focus on rural development services outside of broadband connectivity and asked the members of the subcommittee to leave the popular topic of bridging the digital divide for other committee activity.
Johnson explained, “I have spoken with local leaders, business owners, farmers, families, and many others in South Dakota, and one thing is clear — rural America continues to face challenges with access to capital and reliable energy, workforce shortages, aging infrastructure, and a lack of available healthcare services. That is why today’s conversation on how the 2023 farm bill can improve rural development programs is so important.
“Programs offered by the USDA’s Rural Development office are crucial in helping rural areas develop and attract new economic opportunities,” Johnson continued. “In the 2018 farm bill, this committee significantly improved these programs by establishing new and expanded authorities to help provide access to safe drinking water and dependable electricity, repair crucial community infrastructure, support rural employers and employees, and foster regional economic growth. These pieces are critical components for what [House Agriculture Committee] Chairman [Glenn] Thompson [R-Pa.] calls building a ‘robust, rural economy.'”
Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Colo., the subcommittee ranking member, added, “The farm bill is an opportunity to address ongoing and pervasive issues rural communities face every day – from lack of access to affordable and quality healthcare, economic development opportunities, to crumbling or nonexistent infrastructure that ensures access to clean drinking water. As a pediatrician, I’ve seen the impact on families when they lack adequate and sufficient resources like reliable and affordable childcare, which is exacerbated in rural communities due to fewer options and greater traveling distances. That’s why I joined my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral bill that prioritizes childcare in existing Rural Development programs.
Categories: North Dakota, Government & Policy