Rural Community Assistance Partnership Successfully Concludes 2026 National Fly-In, Highlights Critical Need for Affordable Financing and Technical Assistance for Rural Water Infrastructure
For Immediate Release
Contact: Coye Gerald
Communications Manager
Rural Community Assistance Partnership Successfully Concludes 2026 National Fly-In, Highlights Critical Need for Affordable Financing and Technical Assistance for Rural Water Infrastructure
Event elevated rural and Tribal community priorities and underscored need for sustained federal support for essential infrastructure
Washington, D.C. (March 3, 2026)
The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) has successfully concluded its 2026 National Fly-In, bringing together rural leaders, technical assistance providers, and advocates from across the country to meet with Members of Congress and federal agency officials to advance solutions for rural water and community infrastructure challenges. RCAP is a nationwide network of nonprofit technical assistance providers serving small and rural communities across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Tribal lands to support local solutions and capacity for sustained water and wastewater systems.
The Fly-In provided a forum for sharing community-based expertise and experience to help inform federal policy and funding decisions. Over the course of the event, RCAP leaders met with 225 congressional offices to share on-the-ground perspectives regarding infrastructure needs and priorities of rural and Tribal communities. Conversations focused on policy outcomes that will strengthen rural communities and their long-term capacity, including:
- Maintaining affordable financing for rural water and wastewater infrastructure through existing federal programs;
- Expanding technical assistance to meet the current demand from rural communities for support before, during, and after infrastructure projects; and
- Ensuring that changes in regulatory requirements consider and address the financial and technical impact on rural communities.
“Rural communities and Tribal nations are doing everything they can to provide clean, safe drinking water and reliable wastewater services,” said Olga Morales-Pate, Chief Executive Officer of RCAP. “What they need is affordable financing and ongoing technical assistance to address the burden of rising construction costs, limited rate bases, and complex regulatory demands.”
In addition to financing, RCAP emphasized the vital role of technical assistance in helping communities plan, fund, construct, operate, and maintain their systems effectively. From asset management and financial planning to operator training and regulatory compliance, technical assistance ensures that infrastructure investments deliver lasting public health, economic and environmental benefits.
“Technical assistance is one of the most cost-effective investments the federal government can make,” Morales-Pate added. “It strengthens local capacity, prevents costly project delays and failures, and ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and sustainably. Through our work and with the support of the federal partners, RCAP provides rural towns with the tools, resources and technical assistance needed to build long-term capacity. We are grateful to the many leaders who joined us for this important week.”
As part of its 2026 Fly-In activities, RCAP recognized several federal policymakers with its Congressional Champion Award to honor their leadership in advancing policies that support rural water infrastructure, technical assistance, and economic opportunity.
This year’s honorees include:
- Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, recognized for his leadership on rural development issues and efforts to advance comprehensive Farm Bill legislation.
- Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), recognized for her leadership on drinking water and wastewater infrastructure policy and for authoring the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act.
RCAP also presented its first-ever Diamond Partnership Award to USDA Rural Development, Rural Utilities Service in recognition of its enduring collaboration and investment in rural water and environmental programs. The award was accepted by Michele Brooks, Assistant Administrator for Water and Environmental Programs.
To learn more about RCAP’s mission and impact, visit www.rcap.org. To stay connected with RCAP, you can follow RCAP on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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About Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP)
The Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) is a national network of nonprofit partners working to provide technical assistance, training, resources, and support to rural communities across every state, the U.S. territories, and Tribal lands. Through RCAP’s regional partners, 400 technical assistance providers (TAPs) build long-term, trusted relationships with thousands of communities across the country.
