CARSON CITY, Nev., May 4, 2023 – USDA Rural Development Nevada State Director Lucas Ingvoldstad today announced the addition of Rachel Dahl to the Rural Partners Network (RPN) team in Nevada.
Dahl has taken on the lead role for RPN in Nevada and will help provide statewide support so that rural Nevadans can access resources to create lasting economic opportunities in their communities.
Led by USDA, RPN combines federal, state, and local resources to create jobs, build infrastructure, and support long-term economic stability in rural communities.
“Last week we welcomed Rachel Dahl as our Supervisory Community Liaison to help lead USDA Rural Development’s engagement efforts throughout rural Nevada and RPN Community Networks,” Ingvoldstad said. “Rachel will continue to help us identify and address the needs of these Community Networks and will ensure the voices of rural Nevadans are reflected in policy decisions in Washington, D.C.”
In Nevada, four Community Liaisons will help advance local priorities and projects in assigned Community Networks. They will be supported by national RPN staff and Rural Desk Officers who help manage programs at 20 departments across the federal government.
Dahl is a 6th generation Nevadan; born in Elko and raised in Fallon. She has worked in various capacities from high school English teacher to economic developer to freelance writer. She has lead efforts to restore a historical theatre, built a food hub to strengthen local farmers and combat food insecurity, as well as started a community newspaper.
Rachel Dahl can be reached at rachel.dahl@usda.gov or 775-443-4772 and is located in the Nevada state office in Carson City.
RPN invites self-identified Community Networks in selected areas to opt into the program. Each Community Network receives dedicated community development support to help them navigate federal and other programs, build relationships, and identify community-driven solutions. RPN Community Liaisons also help reduce barriers to participation in federal programs, prepare successful funding applications, and work to increase investments in underserved rural and Tribal areas.
The Rural Partners Network is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between federal agencies and local leaders and residents established by the Biden-Harris Administration to transform the way federal agencies partner with and serve rural people and places. The program is focused on improving social and economic well-being by making the most of new and existing local partnerships and assets and connecting rural opportunity with federal resources. It launched in April 2022 in 14 communities in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and New Mexico, as well as with three Tribes in Arizona. In November 2022, 22 communities in Alaska, Puerto Rico, Nevada, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin were added to the program. USDA Rural Development is leading the Rural Partners Network, which is central to President Biden’s commitment to ensuring that rural Americans have the opportunity to succeed – and that they can find that opportunity close to home. Learn more at RURAL.gov.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/nv. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.