New Mexico consortium aims to expand lending in low-income communities

Entrepreneurs in low-income and immigrant communities often lack access to capital that could help expand their businesses, thereby easing generational poverty. These business leaders, moreover, tend to rely on informal lenders who offer small, costly, high-interest loans that can lead them into a debt cycle.

Census accuracy concerns raised in Coachella Valley

Changes to the way the 2020 Census will be conducted, along with ongoing U.S. Postal Service challenges, could impact how accurately Coachella Valley residents are counted.

USDA announces 47 rural communities and regions that will receive technical assistance to help build long-term economic growth

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2019 – Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced the names of 47 rural communities and regions that will receive technical assistance to help create and implement long-term economic development plans.

Rural America faces severe affordable housing shortage

About a quarter of the nation’s most rural counties have an increasing number of “severely cost-burdened” residents, in contrast to urban areas, where residents have seen their incomes rise since the end of the Great Recession.

Water infrastructure bill wins bipartisan support, but paying for it remains unclear

Democratic leaders and President Donald Trump have agreed to spend $2 trillion on improving U.S. waterways, bridges, power grids, and broadband infrastructure but stopped short of detailing how they will pay for it.