COMMITTED TO THE FUTURE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES 

Rural Development Mission Statement

To increase economic opportunity and improve

the quality of life for all rural Americans.
COMMITTED TO THE FUTURE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES

Rural Development Mission Statement

To increase economic opportunity and improve

the quality of life for all rural Americans.
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COMMITTED TO THE FUTURE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES
COMMENTS BY 

SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 

MIKE JOHANNS

On May 11, 2005, USDA Rural Development celebrated 70 years of service to America.

Much has changed since 1935 when the crisis was the Depression, our mission was agricultural 

stabilization, and the cutting edge was rural electrification. Today, rural America is dynamic and

diversified; the cutting edge is broadband and renewable energy. Our Rural Development 

mission is increasing economic opportunity and improving the quality of life in rural America.

But from 1935 through today, one thing has remained constant: the commitment of the men

and women of USDA Rural Development to the future of rural communities.

That commitment was demonstrated in dramatic form by the response of Rural Development

to the unprecedented series of hurricanes that slammed into the Gulf Coast in the late 

summer and autumn of 2005. Hurricane Katrina the most destructive storm ever to hit 

the United States in terms of property damage, though fortunately not in loss of life was 

followed in rapid succession by Rita and Wilma. The damage was immense; the loss of life,

heavy. Outside of New Orleans and Biloxi, most of the devastated areas were rural.

Rural Development personnel including many who had lost their own homes worked

around the clock to staff recovery centers and provide shelter.They worked with our Federal,

State, local and nonprofit partners to repair water, telecommunications, and electrical systems.

By mid November, more than 9,700 evacuees had been housed in Rural Development-funded

units in 42 States.And in the months and years ahead, Rural Development will play an important

role in rebuilding housing, community facilities, and infrastructure throughout the disaster area.

This is merely one example, although a dramatic one, of the vital work Rural Development 

is doing each and every day across rural America. Since the beginning of the Bush

Administration, Rural Development has invested more than $63 billion and created or 

saved more than 1.1 million jobs in rural communities. We have assisted almost a quarter 

of a million rural families to achieve the dream of homeownership and invested almost 

$5 billion in our business programs alone.

The future holds challenges, but it also holds great promise. As you plan for the future, USDA

Rural Development is here to support you and your community. We are locally based; as your

neighbors, our employees are rooted in your communities and share your values and concerns,

just as we have since 1935. We are proud of Rural Development s record of achievement

throughout the past 70 years and we look forward to working with you to bring increased

opportunities to Florida and the U.S.Virgin Islands as we work together to build an even

stronger rural America.
The face of rural America continues to change, and USDA Rural Development is

changing with it. No longer the lender of last resort, we are rural America s

investment bank, a venture capital entity that creates jobs, promotes business 

development, and provides community facilities and affordable housing. Our goal 

is to build viable and sustainable rural communities.

In each of the last five years, the Bush Administration has invested about $13 billion

in rural America. Rural Development has provided housing, water and sewer funds,

hundreds of millions of dollars in business loan guarantees, telecommunications and

electricity loans and grants. Public safety buildings, rescue equipment, libraries, town halls and access to

broadband have all been made possible through the efforts of Rural Development.

One of the biggest challenges facing our nation is the need for renewable energy. In our ongoing effort to

promote development of new energy sources, USDA Rural Development in 2005 funded 154 renewable

energy grants and two renewable energy loans totaling $32.3 million. Additionally, through the Value Added

Producer Grant program, Rural Development provided $2.8 million for 30 more energy related projects.

From wood fired generating plants to wind turbines, biofuel production and anaerobic digesters, USDA

Rural Development is financing new sources of renewable energy while offering farmers and ranchers a

potential new source of income.

What makes all this happen are the USDA Rural Development employees. The incredible job our employees did to provide aid to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma was amazing. Working with our

Federal, State and local partners, Rural Development found housing for thousands of evacuees, staffed over

80 recovery centers, handled thousands of calls and met face to face with thousands of victims. I m proud

of the job our employees do every day. They re highly skilled, dedicated, and truly Committed to the

Future of Rural Communities. 

COMMENTS BY

AGRICULTURE UNDER SECRETARY

FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

THOMAS DORR
The face of rural America continues to change, and USDA Rural Development is

changing with it. No longer the lender of last resort, we are rural America s

investment bank, a venture capital entity that creates jobs, promotes business 

development, and provides community facilities and affordable housing. Our goal 

is to build viable and sustainable rural communities.

In each of the last five years, the Bush Administration has invested about $13 billion

in rural America. Rural Development has provided housing, water and sewer funds,

hundreds of millions of dollars in business loan guarantees, telecommunications and

electricity loans and grants. Public safety buildings, rescue equipment, libraries, town halls and access to

broadband have all been made possible through the efforts of Rural Development.

One of the biggest challenges facing our nation is the need for renewable energy. In our ongoing effort to

promote development of new energy sources, USDA Rural Development in 2005 funded 154 renewable

energy grants and two renewable energy loans totaling $32.3 million. Additionally, through the Value Added

Producer Grant program, Rural Development provided $2.8 million for 30 more energy related projects.

From wood fired generating plants to wind turbines, biofuel production and anaerobic digesters, USDA

Rural Development is financing new sources of renewable energy while offering farmers and ranchers a

potential new source of income.

What makes all this happen are the USDA Rural Development employees. The incredible job our employees did to provide aid to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma was amazing. Working with our

Federal, State and local partners, Rural Development found housing for thousands of evacuees, staffed over

80 recovery centers, handled thousands of calls and met face to face with thousands of victims. I m proud

of the job our employees do every day. They re highly skilled, dedicated, and truly Committed to the

Future of Rural Communities. 

COMMENTS BY

AGRICULTURE UNDER SECRETARY

FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

THOMAS DORR
COMMUNITY 

FACILITY 

PROGRAM
COMMUNITY 

FACILITY 

PROGRAM
RURAL UTILITIES 

PROGRAM
RURAL UTILITIES 

PROGRAM
RURAL BUSINESS 

AND COOPERATIVE 

PROGRAM
RURAL BUSINESS 

AND COOPERATIVE 

PROGRAM
SINGLE FAMILY 

HOUSING

PROGRAM 
SINGLE FAMILY 

HOUSING

PROGRAM 
MULTI FAMILY

HOUSING 

PROGRAM
MULTI FAMILY

HOUSING 

PROGRAM


Florida/U.S.

Virgin Islands —

USDA Rural

Development 

AREA

BOUNDARIES
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COMMITTED TO THE FUTURE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES
COMMITTED TO THE FUTURE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES 

Rural Development Mission Statement

To increase economic opportunity and improve

the quality of life for all rural Americans.