Mission Statement

"To increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for all rural Americans."

Improving the Quality of Life for Rural Americans

USDA has the unique responsibility of coordinating Federal assistance to rural areas of the nation. The Rural Development mission is to help rural Americans to improve the quality of their lives.

To do this, USDA Rural Development is working in closely with the private and nonprofit sectors and with state, tribal, and local governments to fundamentally change the way government works. With this new philosophy of public partnership -- this new relationship among Government, industry, and communities -- many positive outcomes for rural Americans are happening daily.

Now and in the future, prosperity in rural America depends on ensuring that residents have a wide range of economic opportunities. Rural America's historic strengths -- agriculture and forestry -- will continue as one part of the picture.

Rural Development works to make sure that rural citizens can participate fully in the global economy -- with technical assistance and programs that help rural Americans build strong economies to improve their quality of life.

Rural Development also helps rural communities meet their basic needs by:

• Building water and wastewater systems,
• Financing decent, affordable housing,
• Supporting electric power and rural businesses, including cooperatives, and
• Supporting community development with information and technical assistance.

Rural development work is focused in the following areas that report to the Under Secretary for Rural Development:

• Business Programs including cooperative development and technical assistance, plus other business development programs.
• Housing Programs including rural housing programs as well as rural community loan programs.
• Utilities Programs including telephone and electric programs along with water and sewer programs.
• Community Development Programs including special initiatives to demonstrate effective community development techniques and address unique and pressing economic development issues.

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