SYLVA — As nonprofits and local governments search for solutions to make the regional stronger, a federal agriculture department spokesman had encouraging words.
“Right now there’s more money out there than you can shake a stick at,” said Reginald Speight, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s N.C. Office of Rural Development. “Money is not the issue now, but this is not going to last, it’s going to dry up, and you just have to figure out how to get what you need and use it wisely. And you have to figure wisely.”
Speight spoke to a round table hosted by Mountain Projects at its new Sylva office Tuesday, June 21. His purpose was to outline current initiatives available to rural communities in the mountains.
But the energy Speight brought to the room was that the opportunity to make strides is here. Money is available and strong partnerships are in place.
Rural Development through the USDA provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for citizens in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas.
Speight’s conversation with a cross-section of leaders from municipal and community action organizations touched on ways to accelerate economic development and address housing needs in the western mountains, but to do so, strategically.
“There are great partnerships here,” Speight said. “I don’t always see this in the eastern part of the state. I know community action, and I know what community action does, and trust me, the people in this room and their staff are some of the hardest working people in Western North Carolina.”
Speight went on to point out the challenges of effectively putting money to work in small communities with limited administrative resources to manage budgets and projects. Capacity building comes first. He suggested that foundation partners step-up in that regard, and at the same time, that the USDA is currently in the position to make grants, rather than its more customary loans.
“How can a small county or a township that you work with, with a part-time administrator, engage with us?” Speight asked. “The places can’t service any more debt. The population is drying up or is on a fixed income, so they can’t service any more debt. So why not do some creative things while we have the opportunity, if we’re serious about it? Money is all over the place.”
The answer is capacity-stretching partnerships, whether they be regional or statewide.
“Consider the USDA to be a tool in your toolbox,” Speight said, “but, if you go get funding from someplace else, you have shown your organization to be resourceful. Ultimately you have to do the best you can do for the people you serve.”
Mountain Projects Director Patsy Davis was satisfied with the outcome of the round table she and her organization anchored, and agreed with Speight. “Having the USDA, the Dogwood Health Trust and a variety of other partners in the room at once inspired positive conversations and the potential for lots of collaborations,” she said.
Speight brought news to Sylva of an ambitious Biden Administration initiative to transform the way federal agencies partner with rural places to create economic opportunity in rural America.
Called the Rural Partners Network (RPN), the goal is to help rural communities access government resources and funding to create jobs, build infrastructure and support long-term economic stability through a single network. The network is being rolled out now, with a North Carolina launch window of late summer or early fall.
“There’s plenty of money out there in so many different pots, it's difficult to navigate,” Speight said. “Those of you in the Community Action world can appreciate how complicated this is. (The RPN) is an idea to take everything available for rural development in the federal government space and put it in one portal.”
In addition, the USDA is playing a central role in expanding the state’s electric vehicle charging capacity.
“We’re making a huge effort to get electric charging stations outside urban areas,” he said. “Cutting back on that range anxiety.”
North Carolina’s EV efforts will be introduced in late summer.
Davis said Speight took time to visit Bethel Village in the Jonathan Creek community where Mountain Projects is developing affordable homes on a 50-acre tract of land.
USDA funding for the homes is not allowed at the present time because the roads within the mountain area subdivision aren't paved.
Davis said Maggie Valley has agreed to help with a paving project, and she's hoping Haywood County and Dogwood Trust will help as well.
"For a state director to come to the western part of the state and spend the entire day working on home ownership and finding solutions is amazing," she said. "It's phenomenal to have someone at that level show so much interest."
Davis said Speight was very impressed with the Bethel Village property and is hoping the visit will help spur on home developments.
"From what we've seen, a USDA loan is the best game in town," she said.
In addition to Mountain Projects, partners attending the meeting included Dogwood Health Trust, the town of Sylva, Givens Estate, Macon Program for Progress, Impact Health, Four Square Community Action, Western Carolina University and Jackson County Economic Development.
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