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SUMMARY August 1, 2024 Jonathan L. Ramseur, Coordinator Specialist in Environmental Policy For decades, Congress has authorized, modified, and funded federal programs to help communities address water supply and water [...]

May 2, 2024 Contents Introduction Economic Distress: Defining Commonly Used Measures and Criteria Economic Measures Median Household Income Poverty Rate Unemployment Rate Employment-to-Population Ratio Geographic Areas. Selected Examples of Federal [...]

April 23, 2024 Introduction Terminology Overview of RUS Programs Program Eligibility RUS Broadband and Telephone Programs RUS Electric Programs RUS Water and Waste Disposal Programs Access to RUS Programs Substantially [...]

April 19, 2023 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development (RD) administers more than 40 programs that support economic and community development in rural communities. For many [...]

Updated April 6, 2023 The federal government supports scientific and technological advancement directly by funding and performing research and development and indirectly by creating and maintaining policies that encourage private [...]

December 26, 2023 Contents Introduction Federal Agencies That Provide Funding for Broadband Deployment Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) 5G Fund for Rural America National Broadband Map [...]

May 19, 2023 Introduction The President's FY2024 Budget Proposal Federal R&D Funding Perspectives Federal R&D by Agency Federal R&D by Character of Work, Facilities, and Equipment Federal Role in U.S. [...]

Updated March 9, 2023 Drought--a deficiency of moisture that results in adverse effects--occurs to some extent almost every year in areas of the United States. Droughts can simultaneously reduce available [...]

Updated January 5, 2023 Contents How Does Solar Energy Work? Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Concentrating Solar Power How Much Electricity Comes from Solar Energy? How Much Does a Solar PV System [...]

Updated August 2, 2022 Contents Introduction Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation 'Traditional' Multipurpose Reclamation Projects WIIN Act Water Storage Projects Rural Water Supply Projects Title XVI Projects Desalination [...]

The article delves into various programs aimed at supporting beginning, limited resource, veteran, socially disadvantaged, tribal, and indigenous farmers and ranchers, along with small farms and ranches in the United States. It explores the definitions of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and provides insights into the eligibility criteria for United States Department of Agriculture support programs.

Updated November 19, 2021 On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law (P.L. 117-58). The act invests $1.2 trillion in the nation's infrastructure, [...]

Contents Introduction Overview of Drought in the United States What Is Drought? Drought and Climate Change Drought Classification Drought Forecasts for the United States Federal Drought Policy and Coordination Selected [...]

Updated August 24, 2021 For decades, Congress has authorized and modified federal programs to help communities address water supply and water infrastructure needs, including both wastewater and drinking water. Departments [...]

The article discusses federally supported projects and programs for water infrastructure, including wastewater, drinking water, and water supply, with a focus on funding, agencies involved, and project types. Topics include funding mechanisms, the role of different federal agencies, and the types of projects supported, such as traditional multipurpose reclamation projects and Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act water storage projects.

The article focuses on cell-cultivated meat, a novel approach to meat production that involves growing meat from animal cells in a lab, eliminating the need for traditional animal husbandry and slaughter. It discusses the development of this technology, its potential environmental benefits compared to traditional meat production, and the regulatory framework for cell-cultivated meat products.

The article presents a report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service on science and technology issues for the 118th U.S. Congress Topics discussed include interagency coordination; workforce adequacy; intellectual property policies; and tax incentives. Other areas of focus include agriculture, climate change, biotechnology, defense, energy, earth and environmental sciences.

The article focuses on the U.S. Congressional Research Service. It reports on federal credit assistance and grant programs administered by federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), EDA, and other government agencies for rural businesses. It mentions an overview of selected programs that provide direct loans, capital to intermediary lenders, and loan guarantees to rural businesses in certain industries.

The article discusses various aspects of USDA broadband programs, including the Community Connect Program, Rural Broadband Program, and Telecommunications Infrastructure Program, and compares them to each other. It also highlights issues for Congress, such as funding levels, serving rural areas, and potential duplication.

The article focuses on Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers federal funding to local partners through its extramural research agency. It mentions direction of public agricultural research and nature of how it is funded continue implications of allocating extramural funds via capacity grants versus competitive grants. It also mentions Congress should increase support of U.S. agriculture through expanded federal support of research.

The article focuses on Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 with most recent farm bill generally expires at the end of FY2023. It mentions 2018 farm bill modified certain commodity programs, expanded crop insurance, amended conservation programs, reauthorized and revised nutrition assistance, and extended authority to appropriate funds for many U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) discretionary programs through FY2023.

The article presents a report from the Congressional Research Service on Drought in the U.S. It highlights the 117th Congress enacted funding for drought activities in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; Congressional interest in drought may include new and amended authorities for drought planning and response; emergency appropriations to alleviate drought impacts and enhance related activities; and oversight of ongoing federal drought science, preparedness, and management efforts.

The article focuses on the digital divide in broadband access in the U.S., highlighting the challenges faced in expanding broadband infrastructure, especially in remote and difficult terrain areas. Topics include federal government subsidies for broadband deployment, agency programs by Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and policy considerations for Congress, such as creating a national broadband strategy, expanding oversight, and shifting focus to sustainability.

The article reports that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) and component of food insecurity is food access, or the ability of people to find grocery stores or other food retail outlets. It mentions plan for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), which would increase access to healthy food retail outlets in underserved communities. It also mentions HFFI track within its Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program.