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<title>STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT: USDA Seeks Applications to Advance Equity and Expand Regional Economies in Distressed Rural Communities</title>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Rural Development <ruraldevelopment@public.govdelivery.com>
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<b>Sent:</b> Monday, December 20, 2021 8:16 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Martinez, Cathy L - (clm5) <clmartin@cals.arizona.edu><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [EXT]STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT: USDA Seeks Applications to Advance Equity and Expand Regional Economies in Distressed Rural Communities<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="mso-bookmark:gd_top"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT: USDA Seeks Applications to Advance Equity and Expand Regional Economies in Distressed Rural Communities</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="mso-bookmark:gd_top"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2021</span></strong></span><span style="mso-bookmark:gd_top"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced the Department is accepting grant applications that will advance equity in rural America by creating new opportunities in distressed communities.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="mso-bookmark:gd_top"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Read the full stakeholder announcement
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