THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

rural areas across the nation, many of which have yet to recover from the 2008 recession, are being hit hard by the sars-cov-2 (covid-19) pandemic. this pow reflects the ne center's proposed response to the new conditions created by the pandemic, building on the technical advisory committee's recommendations to the bod (fall 2019, state college, pa). this proposed response also addresses usda strategic goals 4, 6 and 7 for fy 2018-22. in the last year, the northeast regional center for rural development continued to expand its outreach and research on the causes and consequences of rural economic decline, across a number of subject areas (see the annual report 2019).the technical advisory committee's recommendations to the bod were as follows:focus on the following themes when implementingnewoutreach efforts:tourism (leveraging our existing investment)innovation (briefs, current nifa grant, etc.)agriculture and food systems.continue on-the-ground technical assistance programs related to farmers associations and local food systems with broader dissemination.implement a competitive process to provide assistance to other states/programs -prioritize those with applicability across the region.in terms of research 'web hubs' let the work being done under each topic area dictate what the hubs look like. e.g., for tourism it might be hosting the database of survey responses.'emerging themes' - these are areas that the center could look at in the following yearworkforcehousingregarding support of food value chains in the region and related efforts:we recommend that outreach should happen and some general topic areas in which it should be happening, but don't want to dictate how it should be done.however, if online is primary channel, do not forget about broadband.keep sight of where the center adds value - what is its unique contribution.