H.R. 6041: Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act

The Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act aims to enhance support for rural communities through two main programs: rural partnership program grants and rural partnership technical assistance grants.

Rural Partnership Program Grants

This program will allow the Secretary of Agriculture to distribute multiyear grants to foster investment in rural areas from federal, nonprofit, and for-profit sources. Key points of the program include:

• Grant Duration: Grants will last between 2 to 5 years.
• Eligibility: Eligible applicants must consist of partnerships between various entities, including state and local governments, nonprofits, for-profits, cooperatives, and institutions of higher education.
• Focus Areas: Priority will be given to applicants who are targeting rural areas with higher poverty levels and those facing population decline or economic distress.
• Matching Funds: Applicants are required to provide matching funds, generally at least 25% of the grant amount, though this requirement may be waived under certain circumstances.
• Use of Funds: Grant funds can be used for a range of activities such as coordination with federal and state initiatives, capacity building, creating public-private partnerships, and supporting operational activities, among others.
• Geographic Allocation: Funding will be distributed based on a formula that considers poverty and population levels across states and Indian tribes.

Rural Partnership Technical Assistance Grants

This program will provide competitive grants to private or nonprofit organizations that assist rural communities. The aims and specifics include:

• Purpose: The grants are intended to help rural organizations with federal grant management, project planning, and community economic development.
• Eligible Applicants: The program is open to organizations with experience in community development and planning.
• Activities Supported: Funding can be used for training local staff, facilitating coordination with federal agencies, and other capacity-building activities.
• Matching Funds Requirement: Recipients must match at least 30% of the grant amount with non-federal funds, but similar waivers for need-based situations can apply.

Coordination with Existing Structures

The Act also includes establishing a "Rural Partners Network," which will enhance coordination within federal assistance programs for rural communities and streamline their access to federal resources. This network will focus on improving the efficiency of federal assistance and reducing administrative burdens on these communities.

Funding Provisions

The Act authorizes necessary appropriations for these programs and allows for administrative costs up to 2% of the allocated funds.

Relevant Companies

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