Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act

HR 1951, the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act, reauthorizes federal grants to support rural cooperatives. It updates the definition of "cooperative development" to include outreach, education, training, and technical assistance for startup, expansion, or sustainability. The bill requires grant applicants to commit to serving socially vulnerable, underserved, or distressed communities and prioritizes such applicants in scoring. The program is extended through 2029, with annual federal reports on activities and outcomes. This directly affects rural cooperatives and the communities they serve, particularly in underserved areas.