USDA Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. Through their programs, they touch rural America in many ways. Their financial programs support such essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. They promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools. They offer technical assistance and information to help agricultural and other cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their member services. And they provide technical assistance to help communities undertake community empowerment programs. They have an $86 billion dollar portfolio of loans and will administer nearly $16 billion in program loans, loan guarantees, and grants through their programs. Rural Development achieves its mission by helping rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance needed to address their diverse and unique needs. Rural Development works to make sure that rural citizens can participate fully in the global economy. This has been added to Agriculture Resources Subject Tracer™ Information Blog.