Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) announced today she introduced the Expanding Rural Investment in Jobs and Infrastructure Act (HR 3242), which directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to open up federal funding for more rural community facilities.
“The Expanding Rural Investment in Jobs and Infrastructure Act would allow more community colleges, hospitals, technical schools, and other training centers to access funding for rural infrastructure improvements,” said Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler. “The forefront of job training takes place in rural community colleges and technical schools with programs that focus on important skills like medical training and agricultural, educational, and mechanical certifications. Without these schools, such as State Fair Community College, our local economy would not have the workforce it needs. We need to ensure our rural communities have quality infrastructure and career opportunities that set the next generation up for success.”
USDA set up the Rural Community Facilities Program in 1985 to provide financial assistance through loans and grants to community facilities — such as police stations and community colleges — for towns with a population of 20,000 or less. In fiscal year 2016, the program had $500 million left unused that was reprogrammed to other areas. The Expanding Rural Investment in Jobs and Infrastructure Actwould take that funding and make it available to rural areas that narrowly missed the 20,000 cutoff.
The legislation allows towns with a population of 20,000-35,000 to access funding during the second half of the year while preserving primary access for towns with a population less than 20,000. In addition, funding for the larger towns of 20,000-35,000 would be more narrowly tailored for purposes of job training, healthcare, and public safety services.
“It does not make sense to have a program which is designed to invest in job creation, health infrastructure and public safety but cannot make those investments where many of our rural colleges and hospitals are located,” Hartzler added.
The Expanding Rural Investment In Jobs and Infrastructure Act includes provisions to ensure institutions serving regional areas, such as community colleges, hospitals and public safety offices, can receive funding to benefit their surrounding communities.
“We greatly appreciate the support of Congresswoman Hartzler for rural Missouri and community colleges,” said Dr. Joanna Anderson, President of State Fair Community College. “Specifically, this would give State Fair Community College the potential to apply for competitive funds to expand much needed technical training. SFCC is seeking to construct a new technical education facility that would provide space for a diesel mechanics program and an agricultural mechanics program--two areas of high job demand and growth in our region. This legislation is needed to help growing communities like Sedalia in rural America.”
Rural community colleges serve 3.4 million, or 37%, of the 10.2 million community college students enrolled across the nation. These 589 colleges represent 60% of all the community colleges nationwide.
2 comments:
Mrs. Hartzler, are you for real? Everything you are claiming has been negatively impacted recently by the state and the Trump Admin. Lets review what has happened here in recent weeks:
1- Funding was cut for MSSU and Crowder college.
The Globe recently stated there is a nursing shortage in Mo, cutting funding to Crowder and MSSU will contribute to this problem, as both offer nursing programs that begin at the HS level
2- The state cut the free ACT testing, $42 a pop for students. That is a burden for the poor kids who are having the state throw up hurdles in addition to the financial situations they were raised in at no fault of their own.
Health care- We are facing a huge crisis here if Obamacare is eliminated. Most of the nursing home patients are covered under Medicare.
The state recently went to Right to Work, which is a blow to unions. If you think you don't need a Union, just look at what happened at Eagle Picher since decertifying its union- 250 jobs cut and some replaced by cheaper labor. (if thats possible. lol) Add to this the fact that these folks will need the ACA subsidies now.
Seriously Mrs. Hartzler? Lucky for you that the locals don't pay much attention to such details!
Never has it been said that the average Hartzler voter is hard to fool.
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