Monday, Feb 4 2013 3:45PM

Renewable energy exploration may help build jobs in rural America.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager said in a recent conference that harvesting renewable fuels and energy prospects are the keys to improving job growth in rural America and boosting economic community development. 

Tonsager noted that renewable energy was a core aspect of President Obama's plan to break the United States' dependency on foreign oil, and in doing so, more jobs for rural workers may be made available. The USDA RD already has in existence 40 funding programs aimed specifically at supporting economic development in rural locations, and has assisted 6,600 renewable energy projects and 25,000 rural businesses over the past four years. 

"It is important that we are not satisfied with our past successes," said Tonsager. "We need to be constantly looking for new economic opportunities. Creating viable projects is the key, projects that will work. It is all right to take risks in searching for the right opportunities."

Many of the nation's rural locations, particularly Alaska, are rich in natural resources that are likely to attract more funding and research as the U.S. moves toward independence from foreign oil. This is expected to create additional job opportunities, which the government hopes will spark spending and drive revenue growth in smaller communities. 

For more information, check out this resource: The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development