AGDAILY Reporters

DYK rural families on average earn 25 percent less than their urban counterparts, but live in areas with some of the highest rates of upward economic mobility in the nation? Joint Economic Committee Democrats today released a new report that examines the current state of the rural economy, and proposes policies that could revitalize rural communities and help them thrive in the 21st century.

The report, “Investing in Rural America,” looks at several aspects of the rural economy including infrastructure, family financial security, housing, clean energy and public lands, health care, and agriculture.

“Far too many rural communities have been held back from the economic growth others have enjoyed since the recovery from the GreatRecession,” said U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee. “We owe it to all Americans to enact smart, forward-looking policies that will help rural communities reap the benefits from a growing economy. I hope this report serves as a roadmap for this progress. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to improve the lives of the millions of Americans who live in rural communities.”

Rural Americans make up 14 percent of the U.S. population, while 72 percent of the nation’s total land areas are considered rural according to the Office of Management and Budget. The new report details how these 46 million residents play an essential role in the overall economy, starting new businesses and supplying our country’s food. The demographics of rural America are changing, however, with fewer workers in rural counties than in 2007. While urban areas have long since recovered to pre-recession employment levels, rural America has yet to reach that milestone. The report examines opportunities for innovation and growth to help rural communities thrive. In addition, the report recommends that Congress enact policies that will invest, bring progress, and job creation to rural America.

Below are some of the key report highlights:

• Rural families on average earn 25 percent less than their urban counterparts, but live in areas with some of the highest rates of upward economic mobility in the nation.
• Rural communities are well-positioned to lead in clean-energy infrastructure. Ninety-nine percent of wind projects are in rural areas.
• Rural residents enjoy higher homeownership rates than their urban counterparts, with more than 70 percent of occupied rural housing being owned instead of rented.

Below are some of the key policy solutions in the report:

• Expand broadband access through a one-time infusion of capital as well as targeted efforts to boost access on tribal lands and increase utilization by farmers.
• Pass a bipartisan, five-year farm bill with policies that give farmers, families, and rural communities opportunities to succeed.
• Strengthen and improve Medicare to better serve the needs of rural communities.

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