Regional News

Experts Assess the State of Community Development Finance
October 2009--In June of this year the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Center for Community Development Investments published "The Economic Crisis and Community Development Finance: An Industry Assessment." In it "a team of experts assess the state of affairs in community development finance during the current severe economic downturn." The report will serve as a basis for the Center for Community Development Investments when they convene with practitioners and policy makers at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

Kellogg Foundation and NCAI Launch Partnership for Tribal Governance
October 2009--As reported by the Kellogg Foundation, the National Congress for American Indians (NCAI) and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation recently announced the Partnership for Tribal Governance (PTG) at the NCAI's 66th Annual Convention.

Natural Amenities a Major Asset for Rural Communities
October 2009--The USDA Economic Research Service has released a briefing "Rural Amenities." The briefing goes in depth to discuss Natural Amenities Scale, Forest as a Natural Amenity, Scenic Amenities and Job Growth, Scenic Amenities and the Level of Urbanization and Current Trends.

Rural Reservations Hit Hard by Recession
October 2009--The nation's rural Native American reservations are feeling the recession: unsold art, lack of jobs, poor infrastructure. NPR.org reports that jobs are lacking on the reservations and people are out of work. Despite US stimulus dollars that have been earmarked to improve conditions on the reservations, several Native American communities are developing their economic stimulus plans.

Regional Rural Development Center Director Sought
October 2009--Michigan State University announced its search to fill the position of Director for the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD). The NCRCRD is one of four regional centers in the US funded by the USDA. Details relating to the job requirements and application deadline can be found here. The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) is also one of these four centers.

Obama Increasing Credit to Small Businesses
October 2009--Reported at Reuters.com, President Obama will announce on Wednesday, October 21 initiatives to increase credit to small businesses.

Hollowing out the Middle: The Brain Drain and What it Means for Rural America
October 2009--Hollowing out the Middle: The Brain Drain and What it Means for Rural America, was co-authored by sociologists Patrick J. Carr and Maria J. Kefalas. In the book they explore the reprecussions of youth outmigration from rural communities in the heartland of the U.S.  

Climate Change and Rural Communities in the U.S.
October 2009--A brief published by Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI), "Climate Change and Rural Communities in the U.S." reviews climate change, climate change in rural communities, policy responses to climate change and how they will impact rural communities, renewable energy and opportunities for "green" economic development in rural communities.

Ag. Secretary Vilsack Launches National Institute of Food and Agriculture
October 2009-At the National Press Club on October 8, 2009, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack launched the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and outlined his vision for science and research at USDA. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) replaces Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Services (CSREES) as directed by the 2008 Farm Bill. 

Colorado Farmers and Ranchers Struggling after Bank Failure
October 2009--Farmers and ranchers in Colorado are struggling to keep their operations running after the failure of New Frontier Bank in Greeley, Colorado. NPR.org reported that New Frontier was the largest lender in northern Colorado and the bailout money keeping these farms and ranches operational is about the end.

The Rural Blog Discusses U.S. Census Bureau's Recent Poverty Formula
October 2009--John Hale takes a look at the poverty level for families that was recently announced by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Bureau's formula is currently $17,330 for a family of three and $21,834 for a family of four. Hale shares information from The Poynter Institute and the Economic Policy Institute, both of whom are questioning these new formulas.

Rural Roads Scene of More Traffic Fatalities
October 2009--USA Today reported that more motorists die on rural roads: 56% of traffic deaths in the U.S. in 2008 occurred on rural roads. The article includes a map of the U.S. and the share of 2008 traffic death rates on rural roads.

Rutgers Food Innovation Center Announces New Online Programs
October 2009--The Rutgers Food Innovation Center is proud to announce two new online professional development courses: Best Practices for Farmers Market Farmers and Vendors and Sponsors and Managers. These comprehensive, online courses provide the practical guidance that vendors and sponsors need to assure successful market operations.

Broadband for ALL Americans?
October 2009--The Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy released a report in early October supports incentives for broadband and cable television providers to they can get access to areas that are underserved. NPR.org further reports that the Commission's report says the "nation needs to give the same urgency to making sure all Americans have broadband access as the Eisenhower administration did in building an Interstate highway system.

Sunflowers in Colorado Equal Bioenergy
October 2009--Convinced by a local entrepreneur to grow sunflowers for bioenergy production, Dove Creek, Colorado, farmers have not seen their dreams fully realized. Yet. As reported on NPR.org, this community's foray into green energy have not gone quite to plan.

FUNDING: Building Sustainable Community-Linked Infrastructure to Enable Health Science Research
October 2009--The National Institutes of Health have established this new program to support the development, expansion, or reconfiguration of infrastructures needed to facilitate collaboration between academic health centers and community-based organizations for health science research. DEADLINE: December 11, 2009.

Native Americans at Odds with Environmentalists over Coal-Fired Power
October 2009--As reported in USA TODAY, the Navajo Nation's president is the latest Native American leader to push back at environmentalists who are pressuring the tribes to reduce their dependence on coal-fired power. Yet, for the Hopi Nation coal-fired power generates 70% of its governmental revenue.

Child Poverty in Rural America Report Published by Carsey Institute
October 2009--Carsey Institute has published "The Forgotten Fifth: Child Poverty in Rural America." Written by William P. Ohare, the publication Ohare reports that 13% of all rural poor children are located in the West, while 55% of them are located in the South.

Hispanic Farmers Address Discrimination Concerns with Vilsack
October 2009--During USDA Secretary Vilsack's visit to Las Cruces, New Mexico the secretary heard from Hispanic farmers concerned by alleged discrimination by the USDA. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that while the farmers who gathered to express their frustration to Vilsack understand he is not to blame they are hopeful he can intervene on their behalf.

Doctors Chime in on Snake Valley Water Deal
October 2009--The Utah Medical Association sent a letter to the state's governor and the Utah Department of Natural Resources warning that a proposed water pipeline could expose the public to numerous health risks. The story, published by The Salt Lake Tribune, reports these health risks include exposure to carcinogens, radiation and valley fever.

Drug Deaths Overtake Traffic Fatalities in 5 Western States
October 2009--The Denver Post reported that in 16 states drugs are responsible for more deaths than are traffic accidents. Of these 16 states, five are in the west: Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.