Technical assistance for geographically underserved and distressed areas

(a) In general Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall directly, or through cooperative agreements, provide technical assistance and strengthen local capacity to improve access to rural development programs administered by the Secretary for local partners (including local governments, cooperatives, businesses, and community anchor institutions) in geographically underserved and distressed areas. (b) Reports Beginning 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall annually publish, make available to the public, and submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on how the provision of technical assistance under subsection (a) has affected geographically underserved and distressed areas in the year covered by the report. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Geographically underserved and distressed area The term geographically underserved and distressed area means a rural area (as defined in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A)))— (A) in a socially vulnerable community (as determined by the Secretary); (B) in a persistent poverty county (as determined by the Secretary); (C) in an economically distressed area (as determined by the Secretary); or (D) in a colonia. (2) Community anchor institution The term community anchor institution means— (A) a public library; (B) an elementary or secondary school; (C) an institution of higher education; (D) a health care facility; or (E) any other nonprofit or governmental community support organization.

(a) In general Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall directly, or through cooperative agreements, provide technical assistance and strengthen local capacity to improve access to rural development programs administered by the Secretary for local partners (including local governments, cooperatives, businesses, and community anchor institutions) in geographically underserved and distressed areas. (b) Reports Beginning 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall annually publish, make available to the public, and submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on how the provision of technical assistance under subsection (a) has affected geographically underserved and distressed areas in the year covered by the report. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Geographically underserved and distressed area The term geographically underserved and distressed area means a rural area (as defined in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A)))— (A) in a socially vulnerable community (as determined by the Secretary); (B) in a persistent poverty county (as determined by the Secretary); (C) in an economically distressed area (as determined by the Secretary); or (D) in a colonia. (2) Community anchor institution The term community anchor institution means— (A) a public library; (B) an elementary or secondary school; (C) an institution of higher education; (D) a health care facility; or (E) any other nonprofit or governmental community support organization.