Government Agencies

APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION (ARC)-established in 1965 to support economic and social development in the Appalachian Region. Goals are to develop a knowledgeable and skilled population, strengthen the region's physical infrastructure, build local and regional capacity, create a dynamic economic base, and foster healthy people.

DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY-a newly created federal-state partnership serving a 240-county/parish area in an eight-state region. Led by a Federal Co-Chairman and the governors of each participating state, the DRA is designed to remedy severe and chronic economic distress by stimulating economic development. The DRA will help economically distressed communities to leverage other federal and state programs which are focused on basic infrastructure development and transportation improvements, business development, and job training services. Under federal law, 75 percent of funds are targeted to distressed counties & parishes and pockets of poverty, and 50 percent of dollars are earmarked for transportation and basic infrastructure improvements.

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SHARING PROJECT

UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU-mission is to be the preeminent collector and provider of timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the United States.

PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT-between June 1993 and June 1999 the PCSD advised President Clinton on sustainable development and developed bold, new approaches to achieve economic, environmental, and equity goals. They are committed to the achievement of dignified, peaceful, and equitable existence.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-mission is to enhance the quality of life for the American people by supporting production of agriculture.

• COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION and EXTENSION SERVICE (CSREES)-online directory of professional workers in agriculture. CSREES provides the focus to advance a global system of research, extension, and higher education in the food and agricultural sciences and related environmental and human sciences to benefit people, communities, and the nations.
• ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE-provides economic analysis on efficiency, efficacy, and equity issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, and rural development to improve public and private decisionmaking.
• ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT BRIEFING ROOM-established in 1961 to provide economic analysis on efficiency, efficacy, and equity issues related to agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development to improve public and private decision making.
• EMPOWERMENT ZONE AND ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY PROGRAM
  
• NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY-largest agricultural library in the world, NAL serves both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nation. It provides an array of services that enhance the collection, preservation, and dissemination of agricultural information.
  • RURAL INFORMATION CENTER-provides information and referral services to local, state, and federal government officials; community organizations; health professionals and organizations; rural electric and telephone cooperatives; libraries; businesses; and rural citizens working to maintain the vitality of America's rural areas.
  • RURAL INFORMATION CENTER HEALTH SERVICES-serves a wide range of decision-makers who are working to maintain and improve rural health care, fundamental to the economic and social viability of rural communities.
• RURAL DEVELOPMENT-committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. Through its programs, rural America is touched in many ways.
• RESEARCH, ECONOMICS AND EDUCATION MISSION AREA-purpose of the site is to provide access to the information resources of the REE agencies.
• RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE-the federal "point" agency for rural infrastructure assistance in electricity, water and telecommunications. It provides leadership roles in lending and technical guidance for the rural utilities industries.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION-its mission, as a department, is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence for all Americans.

• APPALACHIAN REGIONAL EDUCATION LABORATORY-the laboratory designs R&D-based professional development, develops new processes and products through systematic R&D, evaluates education programs, serves as a neutral convener of state or regional groups, studies the implementation of state policies, and synthesizes and disseminates R&D-based information.
• EDUCATION WEEK-AMERICAN EDUCATION'S ONLINE NEWSPAPER OF RECORD-its goal is to be the place on the World Wide Web for people interested in education reform, schools, and the policies that guide them.
• OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT-provides national leadership for education research and statistics.
  • NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS-the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data that are related to education in the US and other nations.
• SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL VISION FOR EDUCATION-an educational organization with the mission to promote and support the continuous improvement of educational opportunities for all learners in the Southeast.
• SOUTHWEST EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY- exists to challenge, support, and enrich education systems in providing quality education for all learners, enabling them to lead productive and fulfilling lives in an ever-changing, increasingly interconnected world.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES-the US government's principle agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

• ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES-responsible for federal programs which promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities.
• POVERTY GUIDELINES

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR-charged with preparing the American workforce for new and better jobs, and ensuring the adequacy of America's workplaces.

• BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS-the principal fact-finding agency for the federal government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.