Inaugural Issue of JAFSCD is Online!

The inaugural issue of the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) is now online. The first issue of this international, peer-reviewed journal of applied research and policy analysis is currently open and available free to the public at www.AgDevJournal.com. For more information about the inaugural issue, click here.

USDA Announces Microloan Funding To Boost Economic Growth In Rural Areas

USDA today has announced recipients in 36 states will receive funds to make loans to boost small business development, create jobs, and strengthen rural communities.

Eligible applicants may include microenterprises defined as a sole proprietorship located in a rural area or a business entity, located in a rural area, employing 10 people or fewer that are in need of $50,000 or less in business capital and/or in need of business based technical assistance and training. A microentrepreneur is defined as an owner and operator, or prospective owner and operator, of a microenterprise who is unable to obtain sufficient training, technical assistance, or credit other than under the RMAP. For more information visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_RMAP.html

New Trends in Ruralsourcing / Rural Outsourcing / Onshoring

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Office of Rural Community Affairs Set for Name Change

The Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) will have a new name beginning Sept. 1. The state agency dedicated to rural Texas communities will then be known as the Texas Department of Rural Affairs (TDRA). The agency's new URL will become www.tdra.state.tx.us.

Charles S. Stone, ORCA executive director, said the agency's acronym often confused rural community residents and other state agencies whose members often "mistook us for a nonprofit organization."

Created by the 77th Legislature in 2001, ORCA has awarded more than 4,891 grants totaling more than $642 million to rural areas for economic development, disaster relief, infrastructure and healthcare measures.

Ag Commissioner Urges Cities to Apply for Grants

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples recently announced that the agency is taking applications for grants from the $10 million Texas Capital Fund, which was created to help cities in rural areas pay for infrastructure improvements, real estate acquisitions and other activities to help recruit businesses and create jobs.

The Texas Capital Fund offers awards in four separate programs - infrastructure development, real estate development, main street improvements and downtown revitalization. Infrastructure Development awards may be used for projects that include water and sewer lines, road improvements, fiber optic lines and railroad spurs while Real Estate Development awards may be used to acquire, construct or rehabilitate buildings. Main Street Improvements and Downtown Revitalization programs provide grants to non-entitlement cities for the purpose of renovating or constructing sidewalks, lighting, drainage and other infrastructure elements in downtown areas.