Source: Bill Graham, THE MOUNTAINEER, 6/25/22

As nonprofits and local governments search for solutions to make the regional stronger, a federal agriculture department spokesman had encouraging words. “Right now there’s more money out there than you can shake a stick at,” said Reginald Speight, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s N.C. Office of Rural Development. “Money is not the issue now, but this is not going to last, it’s going to dry up, and you just have to figure out how to get what you need and use it wisely. And you have to figure wisely.” Speight spoke to a round table hosted by Mountain Projects at its new Sylva office Tuesday, June 21. His purpose was to outline current initiatives available to rural communities in the mountains.

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