A new report highlights policy actions it says could benefit people living in rural Arizona.

Sherri Jones, a governing board member for the Florence Unified School District, calls this year's Rural Action Policy Report a "guiding tool" for elected officials and service providers to better understand the lives of rural Arizonans.

Economic development, food supply, education, health and overall safety all play a part in rural communities' vitality. Jones added she appreciates the federal government's recognition that federal dollars are not only for big cities - but she says rural towns have a harder time making federal programs work.

"When you overlay the rigor of what it means to not only apply for federal dollars but the actual implementation of those programs, you really need to have infrastructure and capacity already on the table. And that lack of consideration does not feel developmentally appropriate," she explained.

The report, from the Rural Democracy Initiative, recommends federal agencies invest at least 10% of their program funding in historically lower-income counties, and do more to fund rural small businesses and infrastructure needs and keep small hospitals open. It also suggests strengthening the U.S. Postal Service, as what it calls an "essential part of rural life."

Jones added people feel the need to leave rural areas for better opportunities when they no longer see the value in staying. The report suggests ways to diversify these local economies. Jones said the findings are crucial for exposing the reasons behind the economic declines in small towns - not only in Arizona, but across the country - and suggesting ways to turn them around.

"Particularly thinking about the 'copper corridor' in Pinal County, these communities are hard hit in terms of survival and sustainability because the mines aren't as active as they were 30, 40 years ago, where that was industry that people depended on," she continued.

Jones added it is also important to acknowledge that all rural communities across Arizona are unique, and said tribal communities in particular face their own set of challenges, so there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach.

The mayor of a rural Utah town said the clean energy investments and tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act are helping drive economic growth and diversify her town's energy portfolio.

Lenise Peterman, mayor of Helper, stressed tax credits have been vital for communities like hers as they help modernize their systems. But the budget reconciliation package now in Congress would eliminate major parts of Inflation Reduction Act funding, including clean energy investments.

Peterman said it could be detrimental to local people who have been able to harness the power of tax credits to grow their businesses.

"The jobs are there," Peterman emphasized. "We just need to ensure that we have the educational resources available - especially to people who may be transitioning out of a traditional coal plant or coal mining, to be able to step into those roles. But the roles are there."

She added while federal dollars in rural communities affect fewer people, their effect is triple that of urban communities. Peterman said the Inflation Reduction Act incentives will foster energy independence as power use and costs are projected to increase. Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, has been an outspoken critic of sunsetting the credits.

Peterman pointed out Helper is in a unique position, since the town of about 2,200 residents owns and operates its own electric grid. It purchases power from transmission stations but Peterman said they face challenges due to the town's aging and limited infrastructure. She sees the tax credits as part of the solution.

"For me, it's about hardening the grid so that we can then incorporate other energy types, which I hope will drive costs down for the consumers," Peterman underscored. "Because now we'll have options and not be beholden to a single energy source."

Republican leadership in Congress is hoping to pass the big budget bill and have it signed by President Donald Trump before July 4. Peterman hopes politicians are able to reach consensus and do what is best for all, rural and urban alike.

"I'm hopeful that we can move past the partisan positions that people seem to be stuck in and do what's best for all of the people," Peterman added. "I really hope that comes to fruition."


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Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., said AM radio is essential to keeping Nevadans informed, especially in emergency situations, which is why she is one of many supporting the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.

The legislation, which is under consideration in Congress, would require all new cars to maintain AM radio technology despite many having made the switch to now using satellite or internet services in their cars.

Lee said while AM radio does have a sense of nostalgia associated with it, it is also about ensuring people do not lose access to essential information, such as through the National Public Warning System.

"It plays such a vital role in our emergency infrastructure," Lee emphasized. "This country is moving towards digitalizing everything but ultimately there are instances where cell coverage goes out, where things go out, and having AM radios in cars is incredibly important."

Opponents of the bill feel mandating AM radio in all new cars without addressing the radio royalty issue for sound recordings is counterintuitive. Current U.S. copyright law does not provide artists with royalties when recordings are broadcast on AM and FM radio as it does on digital streaming services, which is why calls are being made to also consider the American Music Fairness Act.

Lee noted AM radio is highly important to rural and agricultural communities, relying on the service for things such as weather updates and other necessary information and Lee added they are not the only ones.

"We all know that cybersecurity is a key issue that we are dealing with, especially in an urban center like Las Vegas," Lee pointed out. "Making sure you have sort of that stalwart in cars that can be uninterrupted is really important."

Lee stressed it is not just about having what she calls "outgoing" sources of information, but also "incoming" information provided by people about what is happening on the ground. She added it was true during the 2017 Route 91 Harvest music festival mass shooting, which left 60 people dead and many others wounded.


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It is not just the weather or commodity prices farmers have to worry about. Many rural communities struggle to keep their roads and bridges in good shape, making farming life even harder and now, North Dakota is trying to correct the issue.

This year, state lawmakers have expanded eligibility for agriculture infrastructure grants awarded to towns with populations under 1,500.

Rob Schmidt, chairman of the Olivier County Commission and a rancher in Hensler, said it is welcome news because some local roads have self-imposed speed limits of 25 miles an hour because of the shape they are in, citing the effects from heavy truck traffic linked to a nearby refinery and an ethanol plant.

"Basically, there's no local money to fix that wear," Schmidt explained. "Any money that would come from the state would certainly be appreciated to help remedy that."

Schmidt, also a member of the North Dakota Farmers Union, is hopeful some jurisdictions in his part of the state are able to take advantage of the changes. Oliver County's total population is around 2,000, with the biggest town home to 500 people. The grant program was established in 2023.

Schmidt noted rebuilding roads and bridges could join other quality-of-life benchmarks his county is trying to highlight in the long-standing push to attract residents.

"We've got a very nice school here and we've got all the infrastructure in place in town to be thriving a lot more than we are," Schmidt emphasized.

He acknowledged even when a smaller town makes infrastructure improvements and attracts more industry, it does not always result in bigger population numbers. He said they have had issues in the past where people might take a new job in the area but still commute from elsewhere.