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Franklin County outlines priorities, timeline for March USDA Rural Prosperity Summit
Summary
County Administrator Brian Dansel outlined a strategy to present a unified regional message at a March 26 USDA Rural Prosperity Summit in Pasco, asking partners to prioritize a short list of infrastructure and housing needs and to prepare brief, evidence‑based proposals for federal officials.
Franklin County Administrator Brian Dansel briefed commissioners on Jan. 28 about plans to host a USDA Rural Prosperity Summit at the HAPO Center in Pasco on March 26, 2026, and urged local governments and regional partners to adopt a unified, concise message to present to federal officials.
Dansel said the summit provides "high level access that is a direct pipeline to federal decision makers," and encouraged the region to limit priorities so federal staff and cabinet‑level attendees can quickly grasp local needs. He listed likely federal participants — USDA Rural Development, EPA, the Economic Development Administration, HUD, SBA, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Veterans Affairs — and said the county is asking partners to identify top three needs for each department.
Commissioners and regional partners recommended focusing on safe travel and transportation (including the 395 connection/ring road), water and sewer infrastructure for small towns, workforce housing and economic development projects that can attract private investment. Port and COG representatives offered to help package project lists and help access federal funding programs such as EDA gap funding and USDA infrastructure grants.
Dansel proposed weekly short 'stand‑up' planning calls, a February planning meeting to refine priorities and a one‑page summary for each priority that officials can hand to federal decisionmakers at the summit. No board action was required; commissioners supported staff continuing coordinated planning and asked for a follow‑up schedule.
