Bill to strengthen US coops introduced to Congress
WASHINGTON D.C, March 29, 2025 – – A bipartisan bill to strengthen cooperative in rural communities of the United States [US] was recently introduced to Congress by representatives David Valadao [Republican, California] and Josh Riley [Democrat, New York].
The Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act would reauthorise the Rural Cooperative Development Grant [RCDG] programme, allocating US$ 40 million annually from financial 2025 to FY2029.
The only federal programme dedicated to advancing domestic cooperatives, RCDG provides grants to co-operative development centres improving the economic condition of rural areas by helping communities start, expand or improve rural cooperatives through technical assistance.
The bill would remove some barriers which prevent under-resourced rural applicants competing within the programme, and allow the implementation of multi-year grants for applicants with a demonstrated track record of success. The Working Group on Cooperative Development would also be required to submit an annual report detailing their activities to Congress.
The National Cooperative Business Association [NCBA-Clusa] welcomed the bill.
“NCBA-Clusa applauds representatives Valadao and Riley for their bipartisan recognition of cooperatives as the engines of rural economies,” said president and CEO Doug O’Brien. “As the only federal programme solely dedicated to cooperative development, the improvements in this bill will ensure the Rural Cooperative Development Grant programme can continue to create better quality jobs while preserving small businesses and co-operatives at the heart of rural America.”
“Cooperatives are the backbone of rural communities, providing critical services like healthcare, housing, and childcare,” said Valadao. “By strengthening federal support for these businesses, we can help our rural economies grow and ensure Central Valley families have access to the resources they need. I am proud to reintroduce this bill with Congressman Riley to invest in the future of our rural communities.”
“Cooperatives put funding directly into the hands of the people who build and sustain our rural communities,” Riley said.
He added: “I am proud to work across the aisle with Congressman Valadao on this common-sense, bipartisan effort to invest in Upstate New York and the Central Valley, not big corporations and monopolies.”
https://thecooperator.news/us-electric-co-ops-to-benefit-from-broadband-support/
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