**GAO-06-294**                      Published: Feb 24, 2006. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 2006.                  

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## Highlights

GAO was asked to update its 1989 report on the distribution of economic development funding using newer tools now available for measuring the distribution of federal funds to rural areas. GAO agreed to (1) identify federal economic development programs, (2) determine the best way to identify rural areas for this report, (3) determine the amount and share of economic development funding that rural areas receive, and (4) discuss the way federal agencies report data on economic development funding.

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## Recommendations for Executive Action

## Full Report

Highlights

Full Report (61 pages)

Accessible Text 

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## Topics

Government Operations

CensusData integrityEligibility criteriaEligibility determinationsFederal aid programsFederal aid to localitiesFederal fundsRegional development programsReporting requirementsRural economic development