Rural Development Ag Bankers Look For Ways To Work Together

USDA Rural Development is looking a t placing capital into rural America.  Shan Hanes chairs the American Bankers Association’s Ag and Rural Bankers Committee.  He said USDA is excited about getting rural development loans out to communities that need them.

“They want to get the dollars out.  These are not only to support farmers, but more importantly to support some of the rural infrastructure around the farmers.  Whether it be municipality roads and bridges to businesses and products those farmers and those rural communities need.  And as much as anything, it brings people and jobs to those rural communities.”

Hanes pointed out this is a new tactic for Rural Development to incorporate community bankers, which he thinks is a good move for the growing needs of rural America.  Many in the rural banking industry say such a public/private partnership could help the farmer now, and allows lenders to be involved in the future of Rural Development, determining how to help as many people as possible.

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