Issue Position: Strengthening Our Rural Economy

Issue Position

We face unique challenges in rural America, where our economy is intensely energy-dependant and our homes and places of employment are often separated by many miles. As a result, we must continue working to bring every advantage to our Southern Missouri economy.

USDA Rural Development is a key partner in our rural communities, providing grants and loans for infrastructure improvements that attract new employers and help Southern Missouri businesses to grow and expand. I am proud to partner with local leaders in an effort to secure rural development funds for communities across Southern Missouri.

The university and research community in Southern Missouri is bringing new technologies and methodologies to the private sector while training the researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow and I am proud of the partnership we have established and the work we are doing on the federal level to assist these efforts.

Job training is critical to an ever-changing workforce and this training is absolutely necessary to keep Southern Missouri's edge in the global marketplace. Together we are working to provide funding for programs that provide the training and learning opportunities necessary to keep our workers leaders in their industries so that we may continue to enjoy the quality of life we love so much in rural Missouri.

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