Rural Economic Development: Collaboration Between SBA and USDA Could Be Improved

摘要

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Rural Development offices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture both work in rural areas to foster economic development by promoting entrepreneurship and community development. This report discusses (1) the complementary nature of some SBA and Rural Development programs and the extent to which it provides a rationale for the agencies to collaborate, (2) past and current efforts by SBA and Rural Development to work together and with other agencies, and (3) opportunities for the agencies to improve their collaborative efforts. In completing its work, GAO analyzed agency documentation and prior reports on collaboration, conducted site visits at locations where SBA and Rural Development were working together, and interviewed agency and selected economic development officials. To improve SBA and Rural Developments efforts to work together, GAO recommends that the agencies establish a formal approach to encourage further collaboration. Both agencies provided technical comments on a draft of this report, which have been incorporated into GAOs final report where appropriate.