MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – It was announced on Monday that additional Rural Partners Network staff will assist rural West Virginians in attaining access to funding and resources which will create fresh and enduring economic opportunities in their communities.
The announcement came by way of United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Ryan Thorn, who confirmed that Carrie Decker will serve as Community Liaison for the Pioneer Community Network. In this role, it is said that Decker will actively work toward the reduction of participation barriers with regard to federal programs, assist in the preparation of successful applications for funding, and pursue the increasing of investments in multiple counties throughout the Mountain State. These include Clay, Calhoun, Gilbert, Nicholas, Roane, Wirt, Webster, and Braxton counties.
“I’m very excited to welcome Carrie to the Rural Development team,” said Thorn of the addition. “Our Community Liaisons are instrumental in helping address the unique needs of our rural West Virginia communities. It’s an exciting opportunity for Rural Development to engage in deep partnerships to help rural West Virginia get its fair share of federal funding.”
Decker previously served with the Roane County Chamber of Commerce as its Executive Director before taking on the role of Community Liaison with RPN.
Under the leadership of USDA, the Rural Partners Network combines resources on the state, federal, and local levels to establish jobs, develop infrastructure, and offer lasting economic support in rural parts of West Virginia communities.
In what is being called a “first-of-its-kind” partnership between federal agencies and local leaders, the Rural Partners Network seeks to transform the way federal agencies approach service to rural areas and residents in those areas. The program emphasizes the improvement of economic and social status through the full utilization of new as well as existing local partnerships and resources and establishing connections between rural opportunities and federal resources.
