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Success Stories

Smith Island, Maryland

Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure is Key to Preserving Smith Island, Maryland

For the people living on Smith Island, the water matters. But it’s about more than the beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay from the picturesque island ten miles from the mainland. The multi‐generational residents depend on the surrounding Chesapeake Bay for their livelihoods. For many, crabbing, oystering, and ecotourism are what puts dollars in their bank accounts, and food on their tables. In rural communities…
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Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 11 Stories
A hallway at a rural elementary school shows snowpants and boots across from a wall of blue lockers.

Distance Learning Grant Provides Window to the World for Rural Students

Halfway between Park Falls and Ashland is the rural community of Mellen, population 698. Nestled between the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and nearby Copper Falls State Park, this small community is humming with activity on an early Monday morning in March. Students are… [Read More]
Community CollegesDistance LearningEducationRural DevelopmentRural Partners Network
Two patients exercise in the telehealth cardio rehab room at Benson Hospital.

Health Care Closer to Home – It’s Good for the Heart

In Arizona, Benson Hospital’s telehealth services cut a 100-mile round trip to metropolitan Tucson, allowing residents to focus on what matters most – their health. Before the pandemic, telehealth was nearly nonexistent in Graham and Cochise County, forcing rural Arizonans in… [Read More]
Distance LearningGrantsHealth CareTechnology
Danny Dehaze, Executive Director of Infrastructure, leading a session on instructional technology at the Fall 2023 Faculty In-Service, discussing the Zoom room hubs, new classroom technology, student information systems, and other service items

Columbia Gorge Community College Goes the Distance with Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant

When Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) decided to expand its distance learning opportunities in December of 2019, the project was considered ambitious. By March 2020, the project was essential.  The goal was simple at first. With the aid of a USDA Rural Development (USDA… [Read More]
Community CollegesDistance LearningEducation
Teachers from several schools in Johnston County, NC, participate in training utilizing Distance Learning equipment purchased through USDA Rural Development.

Rural Development Assisting College Bound with Distance Learning

Once Upon a Time, a student had to graduate high school before attending college. Now with the assistance of a $499 thousand Distance Learning Telemedicine Grant from USDA Rural Development students in Johnston County, North Carolina, may be well on their way to completing an… [Read More]
Distance LearningHealth Care
Teachers from several schools in Johnston County, NC, participate in training utilizing Distance Learning equipment purchased through USDA Rural Development.

USDA Assists Rural H.S. Students Earn College Credits

Once Upon a Time, a student had to graduate high school before attending college. Now with the assistance of a $499 thousand Distance Learning Telemedicine Grant from USDA Rural Development students in Johnston County, North Carolina, may be well on their way to completing an… [Read More]
Distance Learning
A professor at Beaufort County Community College presents a class on American History. Utilizing a $329 thousand Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant from USDA Rural Development BCCC is able to serve its population that stretches to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

BCCC & USDA RD Expanding the Reach of Higher Education

Beaufort County Community College serves a rural population of traditional and high school students who are all working towards a degree.    Many rural students have the convenience of being able to easily travel to their classes. The barriers of the miles of ocean and… [Read More]
Distance Learning
Avera Health photo

Pioneering Innovative Ways of Service and Infrastructure Development for Rural Areas

With the passage of time, rural areas continue to have challenges.  Lack of infrastructure, distance to services, and a qualified workforce continue to plaque rural health care facilities. In the eastern corner of the state of South Dakota, a strong telehealth network is… [Read More]
Distance LearningHealth Care
Telemedicine

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Helps Schools, Students and Parents

The School-Based TeleHealth (SBTH) program is a collaboration between Richland County School District One (RCSD 1) and Prisma Health-Midlands to provide education and health care services in the Lower Richland Community.  This project serves some of the neediest families in the… [Read More]
Distance LearningHealth Care

Grant Provides Rural Hospital With Cutting Edge Technology

A $300,000 Distance and Learning  Telemedicine Grant from USDA Rural Development has provided a rural Gonzales hospital with cutting edge radiology technology not usually available in rural Texas hospitals. With the equipment upgrade, the Gonzales   Hospital becomes the only… [Read More]
Distance Learning
Rural Mississippi

Vital Healthcare Brought to Rural Mississippi via TelEmergency

With the exception of major population areas where patients have nearby access to hospitals and clinics, almost all Mississippi residents who live outside of cities and large towns live in counties that are otherwise rural, and lacking any nearby hospitals or clinics. These… [Read More]
Distance LearningHealth Care

Additional Success Stories