§2008v Strategic Economic and Community Development

Summary

The Secretary must give priority to grant or loan applications for programs run under this law or by the Rural Development area when the project follows the program rules, will happen in a rural place, and helps carry out a strategic community investment plan that works across sectors and jurisdictions and looks at improving broadband when needed. Up to 15 percent of the funds for covered programs each fiscal year can be set aside for projects that support these plans. Those reserved funds can be held only for the one-year period starting when the money first becomes available. People with applications already approved before this law was passed can change them to try to get reserved funds. Applicants with earlier approved rural utilities applications under sections 1926(a)(2), (14), or (24), 1926a, or 1932(b) are eligible the same way, through September 30, 2019. The Secretary must help rural communities make strategic community investment plans. Plans must include a mix of activities to reach the community’s vision, involve many local and regional partners, use regional resources, attract investment from partners like private groups, cooperatives, other governments, Indian Tribes, and charities, set clear goals with measurable results, and list steps to act. The Secretary must work with Tribes and local, State, regional, and Federal partners to develop the plans. Congress authorized $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry this out; the money remains available until spent.