The newly appointed Rural Development State Director, Kathleen Williams was at Aaniiih Nakoda College on March 9 to meet with community stakeholders in the Fort Belknap Indian Community. With the group gathered, she spoke about the Equity Project and what it means for this area, as well as about programs available for addressing the food supply chain.

Describing her tour to visit the ten communities across the state that have been identified as underserved, Williams said she's focused on listening. "I'm calling it a Community Engagement Project and a listening tour since we're trying to determine where programs are not being accessed and why as well as what projects will do the most good to revitalize a community. To these gatherings, we are inviting leaders across the spectrum, from power suppliers to political figures and other influential people. These entities of interaction all provide assets to a community. They are the underpinnings of the economy who possess an awareness of a community's needs."

Designed to facilitate growth in rural areas, there are twenty-nine grants available-from Rural Business Development to Value Added Producer Grants and those that focus on community facilities and rural energy. A full list can be accessed at rd.usda.gov/mt. Programs that specifically address a fairer, more competitive, and more resilient meat and poultry supply chain can be found at usda.gov/meat. "The supply chain grants encompass everyone from the traditional meat processor to the lentil crushers and the hops processors," Williams stated.

In her role, Williams aspires to help communities thrive by providing leadership to ensure that program offerings are consistent with the current administration's goals. The 'big three goals' are to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, advance equity, and combat climate change.

"The DC office CEOs of the USDA Rural Development oversee 31 staff across six offices in the state, and we're all focused on ensuring fair access in business and cooperative structures, community facilities, and housing," Williams said.

She added, "There are a lot of good ideas on the ground. We just need to determine how to match these ideas and align them with a program. We have considerable wealth and value here in Montana, but we need to determine how to add value locally rather than shipping it out. There are also urgent needs for basic necessities like water access, housing, and electrical infrastructure."

Wanting her legacy to be one of follow-through, Williams is hoping to point people in the direction of the resources available for helping rural America to not only thrive but experience sustainability. "Young people are coming back to Montana, and we need to facilitate those moves and align programs with needs. For example, with our broadband program, we plan to get internet access to rural communities so that distance education is possible for those seeking training. We also need to understand our sister agencies well enough that we can point people in the right direction."

She continued: "There is currently a buzz around the State of the Union, and I want to go on record as saying that I'm proud to be part of this administration that is trying to build from the bottom and pull from the middle rather than direct from the top. We are seeking unity and hoping to resolve supply chain issues and bridge divides. These goals are inspiring. Divisiveness is dangerous; we need to take the message of working together to heart."

Williams went on to say that her 38-year career in economics and natural resource planning and policy spanning the public, private, and non-profit sectors has led to this moment. "This is my moment in the sun. Everything has led to this opportunity to serve Montana. As the State Director of Rural Development, I not only have the tools to solve problems and bridge divides but the resources to make this happen. I hope that I am remembered as someone who didn't just listen but who followed through on projects identified."