Technical assistance programs help ensure that rural areas are able to leverage funding opportunities provided by USDA Rural Development. Designed to revitalize rural communities by financing a variety of projects and services to enhance economic growth and development, create new jobs, and increase the quality of life in rural America, Rural Development programs often require technical expertise for successful implementation.

With over 80 years of experience funding projects in rural areas, USDA Rural Development can also offer technical assistance to rural residents and businesses through a variety of programs.

These investments, coupled with technical support, enhance our long-term national prosperity by ensuring that rural communities have the basic infrastructure to become self-sustaining with the ability to compete in the global economy.

Technical Assistance is provided by the following programs:

Community and Economic Development Programs

The CEDP administers programs and initiative that promote self-sustaining, long-term economic and regional development in rural areas. The programs demonstrate how every rural community can achieve self-sufficiency through innovative and comprehensive strategic plans developed and implemented at a grassroots level. The programs stress continued local involvement and decision making which is supported by partnerships among private, public and nonprofit entities.

Cooperative Programs

Cooperatives market and distribute agricultural products and supplies and also provide other rural services and needs. Cooperative Programs promotes the understanding and use of the cooperative form of business. Cooperative Programs’ technical assistance program helps agricultural producers and rural residents form new cooperatives and improve the operations of existing cooperatives facing specific problems or challenges. This service is available to existing rural cooperatives and groups of rural residents interested in forming a cooperative.