Today, Joint Economic Committee Democrats launched the sixth episode of “Opportunity Agenda,” a podcast that furthers the conversation on how to build an economic future where all American families have a fair shot at getting ahead. Episode 6, “Investing in the Rural Economy,” highlights a new report released last week by JEC Democrats that brings attention to the unique challenges facing rural communities, and provides forward-looking policies that will help rural economies thrive.

Episode 6 features Karla Thieman, former chief of staff for the United States Department of Agriculture and current member of the Russell Group, and Terry Brunner, former USDA Rural Development state director for New Mexico and current chief program officer and founder of Grow New Mexico. In the podcast, they discuss rural housing, infrastructure, health care, and other important issues to rural areas in the United States.

Below is an excerpt from Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, during the podcast:

“I know that the overall economic picture for rural communities is challenging for multiple reasons.

There’s an underinvestment in infrastructure, insufficient access to broadband, and less access to financial services, just to name a few.

But there are also reasons for optimism, and examples of what is working in rural economies.

Our nation is entering a new age of technology, which will be crucial to revitalizing our rural communities.”

 

Missed episodes 1-5? Catch up on iTunes or on our website. To listen to this episode on our website, click here. To subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, click here.

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For more information, please contact Latoya Veal at Latoya_Veal@jec.senate.gov or 202-224-0379.