The Nevada 95-80 Regional Development Authority has been selected as one of just 22 rural regions nationwide added to the Rural Partners Network (RPN). RPN is an all-of-government program that partners with rural people to help them access resources and funding to create local jobs, build infrastructure, and support long-term economic stability on their own terms.
“This opportunity provides our region with an additional resource to help build community capacity. We are excited to continue to work together to make Rural Nevada strong,” said Michelle Hammond Allen, Nevada 95-80 Co-Director.
The Nevada 95-80 Regional Development Authority is the state-designated Regional Development Authority (RDA) for the counties of Pershing and Humboldt and the cities of Lovelock and Winnemucca. Established in 2021, the organization works with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to expedite business development, incentives, and community capacity. They support businesses via state and local resources as well as mutually beneficial partners with a goal to achieve successful growth and sustainability of the region’s economic ecosystem, and is coordinated in a collaborative effort with the local governmental entities of Humboldt and Pershing Counties, as well as, the cities of Winnemucca and Lovelock. Active local partners include key stakeholders in the community, local businesses, and non-profits.
RPN Community Networks receive on-the-ground, full-time support from federal staff assigned to provide technical assistance tailored to the community’s unique needs and objectives. These community liaisons live and work in the rural communities they serve, allowing them to develop partnerships with local leaders to promote growth and prosperity for rural families and local communities.
These federal staff members will help rural communities navigate federal programs, identify community-driven solutions, and develop successful applications for funding.
Additionally, RPN includes an-all-of government strategy supported by more than 20 federal agencies and commissions, working closely together with each other, rural communities, and existing programs and policies. The Rural Prosperity Council, co-led by the White House Domestic Policy Council and USDA advises the RPN program and escalates lessons learned through RPN for policy consideration. A team of Rural Desk Officers representing each participating federal entity supports the RPN program and the selected Community Networks.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice announced the expansion of the Rural Partners Network (RPN) November 3, 2022.
USDA Rural Development State Director, Lucas Ingvoldstad said. “Rural Nevadans provide the everyday essentials our state and country depend on. By expanding the Rural Partners Network to our state, we can help these important but often overlooked communities receive their fair share of government resources to keep rural people and economies prepared for the future.”
In Nevada, RPN is expanding to the following community networks:
• Southern Nevada Community Network including Nye and Esmeralda counties
• Sierra Region Community Network including Lyon and Mineral counties
• Moapa Valley Community Network including Clark County and cities of Moapa, Moapa Valley, Overton, Logandale, and Bunkerville
• Nevada 95-80 Regional Development Community Network including Humboldt and Pershing counties
• Southern Clark County Community Network including Clark County and cities of Laughlin, Searchlight, and Cal-Nev-Ari
RPN was launched in April 2022 in partnership with 14 rural and Tribal community networks in Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and New Mexico. With the current announcement RPN is expanding to community networks in Alaska, Nevada, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Additional community networks are expected to be added in 2023.