2008 Legislative Policies & Priorities

A REGIONAL APPROACH TO ADVANCING AND SERVING AMERICA'S LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Economic & Rural Development Policy

• Fully fund EDA at the authorized level of $500 million, including $27 million for the economic development district planning program.
• Fully fund USDA rural development grant programs for infrastructure improvements, business development, community facilities, housing and broadband services.
• Urge members of the House to actively participate in the Congressional Rural Caucus, a bipartisan group dedicated to supporting federal policies and initiatives that improve the economic and social development of small town and rural America.
• Urge the U.S. Census Bureau to work with regions to ensure the participation of local governments and the collection of accurate data under the 2010 decennial census and the American Community Survey program.
• Fully fund EPA's brownfields cleanup and assessment programs and support the limited use of brownfields project funds for administrative costs.
• Support full funding of federal initiatives to assist state and local governments (including regional development organizations) in planning, developing and maintaining water and wastewater infrastructure systems.
• Expand the eligibility criteria for Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) program to include public entities such as regional development organizations.
• Support full funding and support for SBA's 504 Development Company and Miroloan programs, as well as the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs.
• Oppose any federal tax measures on electronic commerce that reduce state and local government authority and revenue. Support policies to promote affordable, advanced and accessible telecommunications and broadband services in underserved and rural areas.

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