On June 19, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien hosted June's virtual office hours for the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Twitter. O’Brien discussed the Obama administration’s efforts to create a rural America that’s built to last, through support of broadband, education, medical, and water-quality projects. In many cases, USDA works in partnership with other government entities, including Tribes, and business development organizations to create job opportunities in rural America.

EPA is accepting letters of interest from communities interested in receiving direct assistance for projects that facilitate the use of green infrastructure to protect water quality.  Technical assistance will be provided through EPA contract support and will be directed to watersheds/sewersheds with significant water-quality degradation associated with urban stormwater.  The total EPA assistance available is approximately $950,000 and will be distributed among 10 to 20 projects. The value of the assistance available to each project will be approximately $50,000 to $100,000.