WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Rural Tennessee stands at a critical moment, and your support can make all the difference. The ‘Rural America Relies on Rural Development’ campaign is our grassroots movement to protect the USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Programs (USDA RD WEP)—programs that our communities rely on for clean water, public health, and economic stability.
Nationwide, only about 3,500 individuals and organizations have signed the pledge so far. That’s far short of the 30,000 signatures NRWA CEO Matt Holmes says we need to convince Agriculture Secretary Rollins, DOGE, and President Trump to keep these programs alive. The State of Tennessee must step up and lead the way!
Why It Matters to TAUD
Affordability: USDA Rural Development grants and loans make water infrastructure upgrades possible without crushing small towns with debt.
Public Health: Clean water and reliable wastewater systems protect Tennessee families from preventable health risks.
Economic Strength: Strong water systems support jobs and keep rural Tennessee thriving.
Visit https://www.ruralwaterstrong.org/ to read real stories of how these programs change lives—and why they’re in jeopardy if we don’t act.
Take 30 Seconds to Act
Sign the Pledge: Add your name in a few clicks at https://www.ruralwaterstrong.org/pledge
Spread the Word: If you’re one of the many who’ve already pledged—thank you! I’d ask you to share this broadly with your colleagues, neighbors, and friends in Tennessee’s water community to gather as many more signatures as we can. Every voice counts!
This is our moment to show Washington that rural water is non-negotiable. Let’s aim for 30,000 pledges and make Tennessee a leader in this fight!
Together, we are #RuralWaterStrong.
