7 U.S.C. § 2009c — Strategic plans

Page 1191 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2009d (3) provide assistance in a manner that re- flects the complexity of rural needs, including the needs for business development, health care, education, infrastructure, cultural re- sources, the environment, and housing; (4) advance activities that empower, and build the capacity of, State and local commu- nities to design unique responses to the spe- cial needs of the State and local communities, and federally recognized Indian tribes, for rural development assistance; and (5) adopt flexible and innovative approaches to solving rural development problems. (Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 381C, as added Pub. L. 104–127, title VII, § 761, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1139.) § 2009c. Strategic plans (a) In general The Secretary shall direct each of the Direc- tors of Rural Economic and Community Devel- opment State Offices to prepare a strategic plan— (1) for each State for the delivery of assist- ance under this subchapter in the State; and (2) for each federally recognized Indian tribe for the delivery of assistance under this sub- chapter to the Indian tribe. (b) Assistance (1) In general Financial assistance for rural development provided under this subchapter for a State or a federally recognized Indian tribe shall be used only for orderly community development that is consistent with the strategic plan of the State or Indian tribe. (2) Rural area Assistance under this subchapter may only be provided in a rural area. (3) Small communities In carrying out this subchapter in a State, the Secretary shall give priority to commu- nities with the smallest populations and low- est per capita income. (c) Review The Secretary shall review the strategic plan of each State and federally recognized Indian tribe not later than 60 days after receiving the plan, and at least once every 5 years thereafter. (d) Contents A strategic plan of a State or federally recog- nized Indian tribe under this section shall be a plan that— (1) coordinates economic, human, and com- munity development plans and related activi- ties proposed for an affected area; (2) provides that the State or federally rec- ognized Indian tribe, as appropriate, and an af- fected community (including local institu- tions and organizations that have contributed to the planning process) shall act as full part- ners in the process of developing and imple- menting the plan; (3) identifies goals, methods, and bench- marks for measuring the success of carrying out the plan and how the plan relates to local or regional ecosystems; (4) in the case of a State, provides for the in- volvement, in the preparation of the plan, of State, local, private, and public persons, State rural development councils, federally recog- nized Indian tribes in the State, and commu- nity-based organizations; (5) identifies the amount and source of Fed- eral and non-Federal resources that are avail- able for carrying out the plan; and (6) includes such other information as may be required by the Secretary. (Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 381D, as added Pub. L. 104–127, title VII, § 761, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1140.) § 2009d. Rural Development Trust Fund (a) Establishment There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund which shall be known as the Rural Development Trust Fund (in this subchapter referred to as the ‘‘Trust Fund’’). (b) Accounts There are established in the Trust Fund the following accounts: (1) The rural community facilities account. (2) The rural utilities account. (3) The rural business and cooperative devel- opment account. (4) The federally recognized Indian tribe ac- count. (c) Deposits into accounts Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each fiscal year— (1) all amounts made available to carry out the authorities described in subsection (d)(1) for the fiscal year shall be deposited into the rural community facilities account of the Trust Fund; (2) all amounts made available to carry out the authorities described in subsection (d)(2) for the fiscal year shall be deposited into the rural utilities account of the Trust Fund; and (3) all amounts made available to carry out the authorities described in subsection (d)(3) for the fiscal year shall be deposited into the rural business and cooperative development account of the Trust Fund. (d) Function categories The function categories described in this sub- section are the following: (1) Rural community facilities The rural community development category consists of all amounts made available for— (A) community facility direct and guaran- teed loans under section 1926(a)(1) of this title; or (B) community facility grants under para- graph (19), (20), or (21) of section 1926(a) of this title. (2) Rural utilities The rural utilities category consists of all amounts made available for— (A) water or waste disposal grants or di- rect or guaranteed loans under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1926(a) of this title; (B) rural water or wastewater technical as- sistance and training grants under section 1926(a)(14) of this title;