Thursday, Aug 18 2011 2:37PM
The White House Rural Council unveiled new initiatives to expand employment opportunities and grow businesses in rural communities.
On August 16, the White House Rural Council (WHRC) convened in Iowa for the White House Rural Economic Forum. At the event, the council revealed plans to improve rural communities through job growth, as well as improvements in healthcare and access to technology.
According to the council, investment funds for small businesses provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be doubled during the next five years. Additionally, the Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will expand job search and training information at roughly 2,800 of their offices nationwide.
"By bringing new capital, job training, and additional investments to our rural communities, we are working to ensure the people who live in these towns have a better, brighter future," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
SBA Administrator Karen Mills echoed Vilsack's statement, saying the WHRC's plans should ensure a better economic future for kids living in rural communities.
Stephen Bronars, senior economist with Welch Consulting in Washington, D.C., told ABC News the efforts to improve job creation in rural America through these initiatives should substantially help numerous rural communities.