Rural Communities
Rural communities are the small towns, farming areas, and open country outside the nation's cities. They face their own questions about jobs, schools, health care, roads, and internet service, and they depend on state and federal programs designed for places with few people spread over large areas. Local governments, states, and federal agencies all work with these communities.
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Topics in Rural Communities
People and economy
Rural Demographics and Economy describes who lives in rural areas and how they earn a living, and Rural Development Policy and Programs covers public help for building local economies.
Public services
Rural Education covers schools and colleges, Rural Healthcare covers medical care across long distances, and Rural Infrastructure covers roads, utilities, broadband, and mail.
All Articles on Rural Communities
Why Rural Mail Makes Privatizing USPS So Hard
Why privatizing USPS keeps stalling: rural mail costs more than it earns, the law protects it, and no plan says who would pay.
Why Rural Mail Delivery Costs So Much More
Rural mail delivery costs more because routes cover far more miles with far fewer stops. See how USPS funds the gap and what private carriers charge.
Getting EDA Funding for Your Community
Hidden in a corner of the Commerce Department sits an agency that most Americans have never heard of but that quietly shapes economic opportunity…
The Economic Development Administration: Fostering Growth in U.S. Communities
The Economic Development Administration is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce, but it holds a unique position in the federal government. It's…
Improving Health in America’s Heartland: HRSA Programs for Rural Communities
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a key agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), enhances health outcomes and…
Bridging the Distance: How the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Supports Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plays a vital role in addressing unique health challenges faced by approximately 61 million Americans…
What the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Does
The USDA touches the lives of Americans every day – from the food we eat and the safety of our meat, to support for farmers and rural communities.