Rural community assistance : Investing in America's future

6 Pages·1993·0.3 MB·English

by  United States. Forest Service. Southern Region

Historic, archived document
Do assume
not content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices

Rural '^''^^
f
Commuriiiy
Assistance
/
Investing in America's Future
Rural America
The economic and social vitality ofAmerica's
rural economies is essential to theNation's
growth and prosperity.
Unfortunately, many communities in the rural
South have experienced persistant economic
hardships. Statistics showthe South is the
poorest region in the nation, withthe highest
levels ofrural poverty located in areas that have
a large natural resource base.
Each southern community has unique abilities,
values and natural resources. Special attention
is neededto retain those
values while agencies and
communities work
togetherto revitalize the
local economy and
enhancethe environment.
As natural resource management agencies, the
USDA Forest Service, the Southern Group of
State Foresters, in partnership with other Federal
and State agencies, have developed Rural
Community Assistance Programs.
These programs assist communities in their
economic development efforts through natural
resource enhancement.
Rural Community Assistance
Programs
* Strengthen rural communities
* Enhance the quality oflife
* Protect the environment
* Promote economic diversification
* Emphasize long-term solutions
* Are community directed
* Provide technical and fmancial
assistance
RCA Programs RCA Programs
Rural Development is a broad-based program Economic Diversification Studies Program
that addresses the long-temi health ofrural provides grants to conduct feasibility studies that
communities. This grant program provides develop alternative economic opportunities for
matching funds for local projects that stimulate areas that largely depend on a specific forest
improvements in rural economies. Its purpose is resource. These are broad-based studies used to
to plan and implement natural resource-related identify opportunities foreconomic development
solutions that createjobs orgenerate income for and enhancement.
the communit}'.
Resource Conservation and Development
Economic Recoven Programtargets Program (RC&D) is a USDA rural development
communities that are economically impactedby program led bythe people who live and work in
government decisions on the management of the area it serv^es. Each RC&D area covers
nearby national forests. The program provides several counties and is managedby acouncil
technical and financial assistance to develop composed oflocal citizens who develop and
community action plans that focus on organizing, direct all projects and activities. RC&D councils
planning, and implementing natural resource- assist citizens in solvingtheir own community
problems.
based solutions.
Program Areas and Managers
USDA
Forest Service
Cooperative Forestry Southern Region
1720 Peachtree Road, NW, Room 811 N
Atlanta, GA 30367-9102
Alan Pigg
Rural Community Assistance Program Manager
Telephone [phone]
or
Your local national forest office
or
Your local state forestry office
SouthernGroup
ForestService
SouthernRegion
ofStateForesters
Personsofanyrace,color, nationalorigin,sex,age,religion
orwithanydisabilityarewelcometouseandenjoyall
facilities, programs,andservicesoftheUSDA. Discrimination
inanyformisstrictlyagainstagencypolicyandshouldbe
reportedto TheSecretaryOfAgriculture,Washington, DC
:
20250
ForestryReportR8-FR38 September, 1993