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Excited about new report w/Natalie Geismar: We believe a thriving #rural America is possible & central to America’s future. So we took a close look @ effectiveness of federal rural policy. Lots of takeaways on ways to #DoRightByRural. Thread
1/ http://www.brookings.edu/research/reimagining-rural-policy-organizing-federal-assistance-to-maximize-rural-prosperity/
1/ http://www.brookings.edu/research/reimagining-rural-policy-organizing-federal-assistance-to-maximize-rural-prosperity/
Mindset shift needed by policymakers: #rural America more #diverse demographically & economically than most think. More than 1/5 Black & brown; significant entrepreneurialism; major service economy; less than 6% employed in ag. cc @UrbanInstitute 2/ https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/debunking-three-myths-about-rural-america
A #rural agenda is integral to a #racialequity agenda – see @gbenga_ajilore @KatrinaEBadger.
And #rural will be central to successful #ClimateChange strategies w/large investments in clean energy infrastructure & shifts in food production. 3/ https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/news/2020/11/19/493092/focus-equity-geography-no-longer-destiny/
And #rural will be central to successful #ClimateChange strategies w/large investments in clean energy infrastructure & shifts in food production. 3/ https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/news/2020/11/19/493092/focus-equity-geography-no-longer-destiny/
Federal leadership has historically been important in supporting #rural econ/community dev’p.
It's now in urgent need of modernization & reform: 400+ programs; 13 depts; 10 agencies; 50+ offices. 14 leg committee have authorizing jurisdiction. Imagine navigating this! 4/
It's now in urgent need of modernization & reform: 400+ programs; 13 depts; 10 agencies; 50+ offices. 14 leg committee have authorizing jurisdiction. Imagine navigating this! 4/
. @USDA technically has responsibility for #ruralpolicy but as above chart shows, this goes far beyond its authority & reach. Also far beyond @SenateAgGOP @SenateAgDems.
#Rural policy is NOT just ag policy. #Ruraldevelopment not just domain of @usdaRD. Another mindset shift. 5/
#Rural policy is NOT just ag policy. #Ruraldevelopment not just domain of @usdaRD. Another mindset shift. 5/
Many federal programs that are open but not specific to #ruraldevelopment disadvantage #rural through eligibility requirements or spending formulas.
Any definition of “ #scale” should also include relative improvements or depth of impact. 6/
Any definition of “ #scale” should also include relative improvements or depth of impact. 6/
A close look @ #ruralspecific programs for community/econ dev’p shows funding heavily weighted towards loans.
#Grants=0.2% of federal spending & less than 7% of #ruralspecific portfolio.
Little funding is flexible & available for investing in capacity + institutions. 7/
#Grants=0.2% of federal spending & less than 7% of #ruralspecific portfolio.
Little funding is flexible & available for investing in capacity + institutions. 7/
Using a dev’p effectiveness lens challenges us to track #rural well-being & assess ROI of these federal investments.
It's important to work from a set of principles that guide dev’p practice both in local communities & globally. 8/ https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/04/14/redesign-required-principles-for-reimagining-federal-rural-policy-in-the-covid-19-era/
It's important to work from a set of principles that guide dev’p practice both in local communities & globally. 8/ https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/04/14/redesign-required-principles-for-reimagining-federal-rural-policy-in-the-covid-19-era/
What to do? 1st: Launch domestic dev’p corp in manner of @MCCgov created by @GeorgeWBush for overseas dev’p.
Large, long-term block grants; flexible funding; relentless measurement of results; rigorous economic analysis & tech assistance. Limit to #rural for 1st 5 years. 9/
Large, long-term block grants; flexible funding; relentless measurement of results; rigorous economic analysis & tech assistance. Limit to #rural for 1st 5 years. 9/
Key point: investments must support local visions/local leadership/local capacity.
Strengthen local institutions like the #ruralhubs that help develop sustainable & locally-led economic & civic activity. cc @KatharineWFerg @AspenCSG 10/ https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/rural-development-hubs-report/
Strengthen local institutions like the #ruralhubs that help develop sustainable & locally-led economic & civic activity. cc @KatharineWFerg @AspenCSG 10/ https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/rural-development-hubs-report/
2nd: Reforms! Start w/ #NationalRuralStrategy. Add WH position & ongoing interagency body (e.g. @USICHGov).
Have OMB audit regs/eligibility reqs to ID barriers to access by #rural.
And advance regional approaches that break down #ruralurban divide. cc @MarkMuro1 @Amy_Liuw 11/
Have OMB audit regs/eligibility reqs to ID barriers to access by #rural.
And advance regional approaches that break down #ruralurban divide. cc @MarkMuro1 @Amy_Liuw 11/
Increased #transparency about which federal funds go to #rural communities would be a huge help.
We need more data plus a tool like @USAID_Data Foreign Aid Explorer ( https://explorer.usaid.gov/ ) but for US.
We suggest a 5% set-aside for evaluation. 12/ https://www.urban.org/research/publication/search-good-rural-data
We need more data plus a tool like @USAID_Data Foreign Aid Explorer ( https://explorer.usaid.gov/ ) but for US.
We suggest a 5% set-aside for evaluation. 12/ https://www.urban.org/research/publication/search-good-rural-data
3rd: Get Congress involved. Bipartisan commission to review #rural assistance.
Akin to HELP Commission report ( https://rb.gy/z3v6eh ) on #foreignaid reforms.
Addressing geographic divergence in US prosperity should be bipartisan project. 13/ https://www.brookings.edu/events/beyond-assistance-report-of-the-help-commission-on-foreign-aid-reform/
Akin to HELP Commission report ( https://rb.gy/z3v6eh ) on #foreignaid reforms.
Addressing geographic divergence in US prosperity should be bipartisan project. 13/ https://www.brookings.edu/events/beyond-assistance-report-of-the-help-commission-on-foreign-aid-reform/
Bottom line: federal leadership can do much better by #rural. The challenge is to scale up impact based on the bright spots scattered across US.
These proposals for reforms & innovations at federal level are a start. @Sarah_Smarsh @JamesFallows @Portereduardo @TaraWestover 14/
These proposals for reforms & innovations at federal level are a start. @Sarah_Smarsh @JamesFallows @Portereduardo @TaraWestover 14/
Huge thx to @KatharineWFerg @dobrien_coop @davidlipsetz @nathanohle @coriannescally, @andrewdumont @katrinaEbadger @kenanfikri @EricPostel @LandonWebber @gbenga_ajilore @OppFinance @headecon & many others for invaluable feedback & support. #ReimaginingRural #PowerofRural /end.
