Senator Baldwin Applauds Rural Partners Network Expansion to Support Economic Development in Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development, applauded an announcement from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Ambassador Susan Rice that the Rural Partners Network will expand to rural communities in Wisconsin to create local jobs, build infrastructure, and support long-term economic stability. This announcement is part of President Biden’s commitment to ensure all rural communities can benefit from federal resources, including historic funding provided by the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Inflation Reduction Act.

“The Rural Partners Network will help bridge the gap between our federal government and Wisconsin's rural communities,” said Senator Baldwin. “By expanding the reach of this program to our state, we can ensure every Wisconsin community has access to federal resources and opportunities for job creation, infrastructure, and community development.”

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that people in rural communities have every opportunity to succeed – and that they can find those opportunities right at home in rural America,” Vilsack said. “Rural people make up America’s spirit and character and provide the everyday essentials our country depends on. We know that when rural people thrive, America thrives. By expanding the Rural Partners Network, we can help these important but often overlooked communities receive their fair share of government resources to keep rural people and economies prepared for the future.”

“Rural America is full of opportunities but these vital communities don’t always have a way to navigate federal agencies or access the resources of the government,” said Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice. “The Rural Partners Network is bringing federal staff directly to rural communities to ensure local leaders have access to federal resources as they build strong and vibrant economies.”

The Rural Partners Network helps establish community networks in rural areas where local leaders and residents collaborate with civic and business organizations, nonprofits, service providers, development agencies and others to create new opportunities and build on the diversity of a region’s population and perspectives.

With this announcement, the Rural Partners Network is expanding to the following community networks in Wisconsin: Northern Wisconsin Community Network including Ashland, Iron and Price counties; Greater Menominee Community Network including Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and Menominee County; Forest County Community Network; Northwestern Wisconsin Community Network including Eau Claire, Dunn, Clark, Buffalo, Pepin, and Chippewa counties; and Adams County Visionary Community Network. 

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