Originally posted on ncbaclusa.coop
On March 6, 2025, Representatives David Valadao (R-CA-22) and Josh Riley (D-NY-19) announced the introduction of the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act. The bill will help strengthen cooperatives that form the economic foundation of rural communities.
The Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act builds on the successes of the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program by reauthorizing the program and making key improvements to maximize federal dollars while building capacity for rural technical assistance providers.
As the only federal program dedicated to advancing domestic cooperative businesses, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program helps create and sustain vibrant rural communities. Authorized through the Farm Bill, the RCDG program provides grants to cooperative development centers improving the economic condition of rural areas by helping communities start, expand or improve rural cooperatives through technical assistance.
This bill would:
- Reduce regulatory burden and increase the effectiveness of RCDG program delivery by allowing the Secretary to implement multi-year grants for applicants with a demonstrated track record of success;
- Allow under-resourced and often more rural applicants to compete within the program by removing barriers such as “scoring on a curve” within program match requirements; and
- Have the Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development (authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill) submit an annual report on their progress and analyze data on cooperatives provided through the Economic Census.
“NCBA CLUSA applauds Representatives Valadao and Riley for their bipartisan recognition of cooperatives as the engines of rural economies,” said Doug O’Brien, President and CEO of NCBA CLUSA. “As the only federal program solely dedicated to cooperative development, the improvements in this bill will ensure the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program can continue to create better quality jobs while preserving small businesses and cooperatives at the heart of rural America.”
The USFWC and NCBA CLUSA encourage your organization to support the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act by filling out this endorsement form.
