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QPA News Release; Obama administration establishes White House Rural Council to stre... Page I of l <br />News Release <br />OPA News Rele.ase: [06/09/2011] <br />Contact Name: Elizabeth Alexander <br />phone Number: (202) 693-4675 <br />Re{ease Number.ll-Q894-NAT <br />Obama administration establishes White House Rural Council to strengthen rural cammun3ties <br />WASHING'TON - The White House today announced the estabtishment of the first White House Rural Council. White rural <br />cammunitles face em ro~ve t he Im em~entationnoimtsat sttrategy, the pdnesident gned, ~ian executive order eskabVisfi~rg the White <br />economic sU'ategY and P P <br />►iouse Rurat Council, <br />"Strong rural communities are key to a stronger America," said Preskient Baradc Obama. "That's why I've estabiished the White House <br />Rural Councll to make sure we're warking aanss govemrnent to strengthen rural communities and promote ecanomic grovuth." <br />The White House Rurai Councii will mordinate programs across govemment to encourage pubEic-private pactnerships to promote <br />further ecanomic prosperlty and quality of life in rural cammt+nities nationwide. Chaired by Secretary of A9ricuttun Tom Vitsack, the <br />cauncil will be respoasible for providing recommendations for irtvestment In rural areas and wiN coordinate federal engagement w(th a <br />variety of rural stakeholders, tnduding agricultural organizations, small businesses, and scate, loca) and tribai governments. <br />"Rural America makes signiflcant contributions to the security, prosperity and economic strength af our country;" said Agriculture <br />Secretary Tom Yilsadc. "The Rural Coundl announaed by President Obama shows his cantinued focus on promoting economic <br />opportuntty, creating jobs and enhandng the quatity of Iffe for those who live In rural America. Together with the rest of the Obama <br />adminiskration, USDA has warked to support famiiies and businesses in rural rnmmunities so that their suctess will pay dfvidends for all <br />Amer+cans." <br />In the coming months, the White House Rural Counci) wili Focus on job veation and ecotwmic devekopment by incfeasing the flow of <br />capftal ta rura( areas, promotin9 innovatbn, expanding digital and physkal networks, e►ui celebrating opportunlty through America's <br />natural resources. The councii will begin discussing key factors for growth, induding: <br />]obs: improve job training and woricforce devebpment in rural America. <br />Agriwlture: expand markeks for agricufture, inc{uding regional food systems and exports. <br />Access to credit: fncrease opportuNry bY expanding atcess to capiWl in runl communities and fostering local investment. <br />Innevation: promote the expansion of blofuels production capacity and communily-based renewable energy profects. <br />Netwarks: develop high-growth regional ecanomies by capltalizing on inherent regional strengths. <br />Heatth care: improve access to quality heaith care khrougfi expansion of healih technology systems. <br />Education: lncrease Postsecoridary enrollment rates and campletion for rural students. <br />eroadband: support the presidenYs plan to increase broadband opportunRies In rural America. <br />Infrastructure. coordinate investment in criticai infrastructure. <br />Ecosystem markets: <br />public lands. <br />expandfng opportunities for rnnservation, outdoor opporkunittes and economk growth on working lands and <br />"Safe and healthy workplaces and a lout workforce prepared for the jobs af the 21St century are vital to sustaining strong rurai <br />rnmmunities," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Rurai Coundi will help the Labar Departmenk more effecpveN support <br />greatet coordination among businesses, rural workers and govemment resources. The result witl be safer, more innova#ive and more <br />competitive workpldces, and greater prasperity for our nation," <br />Since taking office, President Obama's administration has taken signtricant steps to improve the iives of rural Americans and has <br />provided broad support for ruraf communities. The Obama administration has set goais of modemizing infrastrudure by providing <br />broadband access to iQ milfion Americans, expanding edutatlonal apportuniUes for students In rural areas and provfding affordable <br />health care. In the bng term, these unparalleied rural investments will help ensure that Amerita's rural rnmmunities are repopulating, <br />setf-sustaining and thriving economicalfy. <br />~Yan~rt,ve ~rc~r (PpF) <br />ireedom vf InTOrmLtwn AR I P^VaQ' & Se[urity Stntemenl I Afadslme6 j Customlr Survey I ImportDM Web Site NoGCtS I➢Wg-fns UfM by DOl <br />tj'~~ ~ s5c Pedms ~i3 ~.4 bsj jmrAe, ~aWi ses9s 20210 <br />5~ <br />