A recent report from USDA Rural Development describes how the agency has used funding provided by the Recovery Act to work toward meeting its goal of ensuring that rural areas are creating wealth and thriving economically. USDA Rural Development received over $21 billion in Recovery Act funding. According to the report, its total Recovery Act investments created or saved more than 300,000 jobs for rural residents as of September 30, 2010. Following is a break-down of state-by-state awards of USDA Rural Development Recovery Act funding in Central Appalachia. Kentucky: $770,039,979North Carolina: $1,305,007,257Ohio: $554,041,941Virginia: $660,430,335West Virginia: $297,734,215 The report also highlights some of Rural Development’s efforts under the Recovery Act to modernize, renew, and rebuild rural communities across the country. Here is an excerpt from a story focusing on efforts in Tennessee. Rural Tennesseans Benefit from Computer and Workforce Training The modern day job search is increasingly an online effort, which puts those without access to the Internet at a substantial disadvantage. For many older adults looking for employment, the barrier is even greater if they lack access to the Internet and the computer skills. Thanks to a Recovery Act-funded grant awarded to the Northwest Tennessee Human Resources Agency (NWTHRA) in the little town of Dresden, older adults and displaced workers now have access to a computer center and a work force training curriculum designed especially for them. The idea for developing a computer lab for seniors came to NWTHRA staff when an older client found a good job opportunity...