The Center for Rural Affairs has called on members of Congress to uphold federal funding obligations. Last month, President Trump ordered a federal spending freeze that halted payments for federal grants and loans, jeopardizing the financial stability of agencies, organizations, programs, and projects that serve rural communities across the country.
Despite a judge’s order stopping the freeze, many organizations such as the Center remain unable to access contracted funds, creating major disruptions to their work that supports family farms, small businesses, civic infrastructure, and economic development in rural areas.
Administrative actions have resulted in freezes, delays, or even cancellations of grants and loans awarded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
Brian Depew, the executive director of the Center, says funding disruptions will result in programs or projects that rural residents are relying on ending with no notice or plan for replacement.
The Center urged lawmakers to ensure funds are unfrozen, that existing contracts are not arbitrarily canceled, and that priorities targeted through the Inflation Reduction Act, such as funds for working lands conservation and investments in energy infrastructure for rural communities, are included in the Congressional budget.
