CLEARLAKE, Calif. — On Thursday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) partnered with leadership from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development to host a roundtable with leaders from across Lake County.

During the session, Rep. Thompson and USDA Rural Development State Director Maria Gallegos-Herrera presented leaders from across Lake County with information on Rural Development programs and services that are available to qualified rural Lake County communities.

“Rural communities are the backbone of California and our country,” said Thompson. “Thank you to the USDA Rural Development team for partnering with me to bring local leaders from across Lake County together to discuss our community’s needs and connect leaders with USDA Rural Development programs that can help address those needs. Already, Lake County has received over $46.7 million in support from USDA Rural Development programs and I look forward to continuing to support our community’s development.”

USDA Rural Development provides more than 70 programs to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural communities that meet program requirements.

The agency’s programs help rural communities build infrastructure like hospitals and community centers and help rural communities increase access to utilities, affordable housing, and homeownership opportunities.

These programs come in various forms including loans, grants, loan guarantees and partnerships with local leaders.

Thompson’s session in Clearlake was the fourth of five Rural Development roundtables the Congressman hosted in each of the five counties that make up the Fourth Congressional district: Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo.