White House Rural Council Forum Spotlights Development Successes and Opportunities October 2016

On October 5, the White House Rural Council convened the White House Rural Forum at Pennsylvania State University to highlight successful economic and community development efforts in rural communities and to urge policy makers, foundations and nonprofits, and the private sector to recognize opportunities in rural areas. Council Chair and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was joined by rural leaders and by ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, and other state and federal officials for the event, which marked the culmination of the Obama administration's focus on and investment in rural America.

The forum’s panel and roundtable discussions examined topics including economic drivers in rural America, the future of agriculture, rural quality of life, regions in transition, and rural young leaders making a difference. As part of the events, Gohl discussed the impact of the administration’s POWER Initiative on Appalachia’s rural communities, and Vilsack announced new investments, including Rural Advantage community planning assistance, to support continued progress in rural America.

Learn more about the White House Rural Council and the administration’s work with rural communities to create opportunity:

Oct. 4 Post by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
The White House Rural Council: Support for Rural America from the Ground Up

Oct. 4 Post by President Barack Obama
On the Strength and Resilience of Rural America

On Twitter: #RuralResults