Rural Development Policy and Programs

Federal rural development policy and programs help strengthen small towns and farming communities by supporting housing, business growth, infrastructure, and essential services across rural America.

How federal programs help rural communities

A wide range of federal agencies deliver loans, grants, technical assistance, and guarantees that fund housing, broadband and utilities, water and waste systems, community facilities, and business development in rural places. The U.S. Department of Agriculture leads much of this work and administers the largest number of rural programs and a substantial share of funds directed to rural counties (What the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Does).

Finding and aligning funding

Local leaders typically combine programs to meet project goals—USDA programs for housing, utilities, and community facilities, alongside economic development grants and investments from agencies like the Economic Development Administration (The Economic Development Administration: Fostering Growth in U.S. Communities)—to build resilient local economies. For communities pursuing EDA support, practical guidance is available on accessing competitive funding and matching projects to EDA priorities (Getting EDA Funding for Your Community).