Washington, D.C., Dec 12, 2018 – Anne Hazlett, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, today applauded President Donald Trump for establishing a White House Council to carry out the Administration’s plan to encourage public and private investment in urban and economically distressed areas, including qualified opportunity zones.

 Hazlett issued the following statement:

“Today’s executive order is another example of ‘Promises Made, Promises Kept’ for President Trump.  Private investment in rural America is fundamental to rural prosperity.  Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with local communities to increase rural prosperity through greater economic opportunity and quality of life.  With incentives to drive greater investment in rural America, we will have new and powerful tools to foster revitalization, create jobs and promote sustainable economic growth in small towns and rural areas in every corner of this country.”

USDA Rural Development programs will award priority points on applications from private sector intermediaries for projects built in opportunity zone census tracks as well as in other select programs for projects that directly benefit communities located in Opportunity Zones.