Representatives David Valadao (R-CA-22) and Josh Riley (D-NY-19) on March 6 announced the introduction of the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act. The bill will help strengthen cooperatives that form the economic foundation of rural communities.

Support the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act

The Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act builds on the successes of the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program by reauthorizing RCDG and making key improvements to maximize federal dollars while building capacity for rural technical assistance providers.

As the only federal program dedicated to advancing domestic cooperative businesses, RCDG helps create and sustain vibrant rural communities. Authorized through the Farm Bill, the program provides grants to cooperative development centers, improving rural economies by helping communities start, expand or improve rural cooperatives through technical assistance.

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The bill would

• Reduce regulatory burdens and increase the effectiveness of RCDG program delivery by allowing the Secretary to implement multi-year grants for applicants with a demonstrated track record of success
• Allow under-resourced and often more rural applicants to compete within the program by removing barriers such as “scoring on a curve” within program match requirements
• Ask the Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development to submit an annual report on their progress and analyze data on cooperatives provided through the Economic Census.

“NCBA CLUSA applauds Representatives Valadao and Riley for their bipartisan recognition of cooperatives as the engines of rural economies,” said Doug O’Brien, president and CEO of NCBA CLUSA. “As the only federal program solely dedicated to cooperative development, the improvements in this bill will ensure the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program can continue to create better quality jobs while preserving the small businesses and cooperatives at the heart of rural America.”

NCBA CLUSA encourages your organization to support the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act by filling out this endorsement form.

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For more information on NCBA CLUSA’s advocacy priorities and resources, visit ncbaclusa.coop/advocacy or contact advocacy@ncba.coop.