Wednesday, Oct 17 2012 3:59PM

In the latest round of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 38 states, including Colorado and Montana, were awarded 112 loans and grants to promote rural economic development.

"These awards illustrate the important impact the economic development assistance can have on small towns and rural communities," Vilsack said.

He added that communities see economic improvements regardless of how they receive assistance from USDA programs.

In Montana, the Crow Tribe of Indians received a $50,000 grant through the Rural Business Opportunity Grant program, which will help develop an economic plan for mining and energy resources on the reservation.

Meanwhile, the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Education and Charitable Foundation received $175,000 for educational and technical assistance, which aims to aid local agricultural producers.

In total, 35 organizations received Rural Cooperative Development grants, which will provide technical assistance for agricultural producers. Additionally, 19 organizations received Rural Development grants that will benefit farmers and other agricultural producers nationwide.

Despite federal programs, rural communities continue to have a difficult time bouncing back in regards to employment, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the number of jobs in rural counties has grown at just half the rate of urban counties from June 2011 to June 2012.

For further information, check out this source: The U.S. Department of Agriculture