LAKEPORT, Calif. – USDA Rural Development and the county of Lake plan to host a countywide public forum in March to discuss economic development issues.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 2, in the Board of Supervisors' chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

Similar forums will be held in each of the state's 58 counties and focus on activities and initiatives that resulted from USDA Rural Development's “Jobs, Economic Development and Sustainable Communities” report (available online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca).

“These forums will provide an opportunity for residents, business owners and community leaders across the state to share ideas on creating jobs and economic opportunities,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Dr. Glenda Humiston. “Government can help lay the groundwork for economic growth, but the best ideas for continued growth and job creation often come from local and community leaders. I look forward to hearing these ideas.”

Forums are all open to the public.

USDA encourages business owners, residents, state and local officials, farmers, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, economists and all other interested parties to attend.

Participants will discuss the findings and opportunities identified in the report as well as any new suggestions.

“The USDA has supported many projects in Lake County,” said County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox. “We are pleased to host this forum to discover more ways to improve the Lake County economy.”

 

Forums are being led and organized by USDA Rural Development throughout the state.

Co-hosting this effort is a wide variety of local organizers: Economic Development Corporations, U.C. Cooperative Extension, Resource Conservation and Development Councils, California State Universities, Farm Bureaus, Tribal Governments, Self-Help Housing Groups, and many more. To see all locations, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca.

USDA Rural Development administers and manages more than 40 housing, business, and community infrastructure and facility programs as laid out by Congress through a network of 6,100 employees located in 500 national, state and local offices.

These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $125 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

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