• Promote strategic development activities and collaborative efforts by State and local communities, and federally recognized Indian tribes, to maximize the impact of Federal assistance.
• Optimize the use of resources.
• Provide assistance in a manner that reflects the complexity of rural needs, including the needs for business development, health care, education, infrastructure, cultural resources, the environment, and housing.
• Advance activities that empower, and build the capacity of State and local communities to design unique responses to the special needs of the State and local communities, and federally recognized Indian tribes, for rural development assistance.
• Adopt flexible and innovative approaches to solving rural development problems."

Goal
In order to accomplish this, Rural Development committed to identify and establish a working relationship with a limited number of needy communities which have potential for success, but could profit from technical assistance available from the mission areas and our rural development partners. These communities will be a part of the mission area's Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP ) Pilot.

Objective
The objective of the Pilot is provide staff with a hands-on learning experience in rural development at the community level and demonstrate innovative approaches to rural development through partnerships and flexible use of Rural Development resources in selected communities.

Outcome Measures
Long term outcomes over a five-year period will include:

1. Defined partnerships which help build local capacity.
2. Establishment of a baseline of need in each community.
3. Development of a strategic plan for the community.
4. Generation of applications for USDA/ RD resources.
5. Implementation of 1 project in each community by year 2.
6. Implementation of other projects in years 2-5.