releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=10ab7503-b22b-498e-bc8b-2f22ca0f26d1
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=10ab7503-b22b-498e-bc8b-2f22ca0f26d1 | Chairwoman Heitkamp Meets with Nominee to Head USDA Rural Development | 2014-07-29 | 2014 | 2014-07 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | **Click Here for a Photo of the Meeting** WASHINGTON, D.C. During a meeting with Lisa Mensah, the nominee to become Under Secretary for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp said she wants to work closely with Mensah to spark economic development in rural America and in Indian Country. Specifically, Heitkamp and Mensah discussed the need for increased Rural Utilities Service infrastructure investments in western North Dakota, and the importance of regional economic development strategies to help communities put in place strategic planning. Heitkamp is Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth, and Energy Innovation, and uses the position to establish polices that foster economic growth in North Dakota and in rural communities throughout America. Last year alone, USDA Rural Development invested more than $500 million in North Dakota infrastructure projects including water and waste water, electric and telecommunication projects, and housing. This is part of a five year commitment of almost $3.3 billion economic development and infrastructure investments in North Dakota from USDA. With her economic development background, particularly in rural America, Ms. Mensah has an opportunity to work with us to bring real, targeted economic growth to rural communities in North Dakota and around the nation, said Heitkamp. In the 2014 Farm Bill, we armed USDA Rural Development with tools to help communities achieve sustainable, long-term growth. As Chair of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees rural development, I look forward to supporting Mensahs nomination, and working closely with her to support rural America. Mensah currently serves as Executive Director of the Initiative on Financial Security at the Aspen Institute. Prior to this position, she served in various economic development positions, including as Deputy Director of the Rural Poverty and Resources Program, at the Ford Foundation. In May, Heitkamp led a Senate hearing that highlighted challenges as well as proven tactics for sparking economic development in rural America. Heitkamp brought Dawn Keeley of Grafton to testify about what she has learned in the more than 23 years she has spent focused on rural economic development. USDA Rural Development has played a key role in recent years supporting local North Dakota economies through targeted regional planning that best suits each community. These include: the financing of the $52 million Jamestown Regional Medical Center; major water projects in Emmons, Logan, and McIntosh Counties; and bringing fiber-optic high-speed Internet service to about 16,000 businesses and homes in south central North Dakota. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Heitkamp played a key role in writing, negotiating, and passing the 2014 Farm Bill. The legislation, which Heitkamp is now overseeing to make sure it works for North Dakotans, makes for the first time targeted federal investments for projects that support long-term regional strategies. Regional strategies more efficiently and effectively target resources to where they will have the greatest impact. They not only address weaknesses in a region, but support the strengths of the area. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |