Press Release
Posted:
Sonoma – Last week, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) partnered with leadership from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDA RD) to host a roundtable with leaders from across Sonoma County. During the session, Rep. Thompson, USDA RD State Director Maria Gallegos-Herrera, and USDA RD Northern California Area Director Jennifer Gooler presented leaders from across Sonoma County with information on Rural Development programs and services that are available to qualified rural Sonoma County communities.
“Rural communities are the backbone of California and our country,” said Thompson. “Thank you to the USDA Rural Development team for partnering with me to bring local leaders from across Sonoma County together to discuss our community’s needs and connect leaders with USDA RD programs that can help address those needs. Already, Sonoma County has received over $16.1 million in support from USDA RD programs and I look forward to continuing to support our community’s development.”
USDA Rural Development provides more than 70 programs to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural communities that meet program requirements. USDA RD programs help rural communities build infrastructure like hospitals and community centers and help rural communities increase access to utilities, affordable housing, and homeownership opportunities. These programs come in various forms including loans, grants, loan guarantees, and partnerships with local leaders.
Thompson’s session in Sonoma was the fifth of five Rural Development roundtables the Congressman hosted in each of the five counties that make up the 4th Congressional district: Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo.