Rural Development (RD) Mission Area
Rural Development programs enhance the ability of rural communities to develop, grow, and improve their quality of life by targeting financial and technical resources to areas of greatest need, through activities of greatest potential. The Rural Development mission area consists of three agencies plus the Office of Community Development, which administers the Administration's rural Enterprise Zones/Enterprise Communities initiative, and the National Rural Development Partnership, a Nationwide network of rural development leaders and officials committed to the vitality of rural areas.

• Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) enhances the quality of life in rural areas by providing financing and technical assistance to help build competitive businesses and establish and sustain agricultural cooperatives that can prosper in the global marketplace.

  Authorizing Legislation: The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926; and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.

  Home Page Address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs

• Rural Housing Service (RHS) helps build competitive, vibrant rural communities by providing financing and technical help for needed community facilities and housing for very-low to moderate-income areas.

  Authorizing Legislation: The Housing Act of 1949 and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

  Home Page Address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs

• Rural Utilities Service (RUS) serves a leading role in improving the quality of life in rural America by providing financial and technical assistance so rural areas can have modern affordable electricity, telecommunications (including distance learning and telemedicine), public water, and waste removal services.

  Authorizing Legislation: The Rural Electrification Administration Act of 1936; the Rural Economic Development Act of 1990; and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

  Home Page Address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rus