Welcome to the USDA Arizona Rural Development Website.  Our goal is to assist rural communities in the development of affordable housing, essential community facilities, clean drinking water, and to facilitate the development of rural businesses. Rural Development oversees three basic programs to achieve our goals.

Rural Housing - is to help develop affordable housing.

Rural Utilities - develops essential community facilities (health care, public safety, telecommunications) and works directly with community officials to provide clean drinking water and functional sewer systems. 

Rural Business - assists the development of rural businesses with loan guarantees, relending programs and planning grants.

 Arizona has eleven local offices around the State, as well as the State Office located in Phoenix to provide answers to your questions.  I invite you to browse our website for information and contacts, so we can create new and strengthen existing partnerships, as we work together to make your community a better place to live and work.

Eddie's Bio

Eddie Browning from Willcox, Arizona was named Arizona's State Director for USDA Rural Development in September 2001. Prior to his appointment, Eddie served as the Executive Director for the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. In that capacity, Eddie was responsible for overseeing the chamber's tourism, economic development and Main Street programs. In addition, Eddie served as the Director for the Southeastern Arizona Center for Agribusiness Development.

Eddie has served as Chairman of the Cochise County Tourism Council, and also served on the Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission.

Eddie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from the University of Arizona in 1975. He also graduated from the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute and Project CENTRAL, Arizona's rural leadership development program.