MANKATO — Scouting for issues to address in the next Farm Bill, Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota led a roundtable discussion with area civic, business and state agency leaders rural development issues Thursday at Pioneer Bank.

A number of people said more public-private partnerships, direct funding and federal loans are needed for future housing projects, especially in rural cities.

Smith said U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has many different programs to address the needs and serve communities in rural regions.

St. Peter City Administrator Todd Prafke praised USDA Rural Development programs.

“We’re struggling with housing,” Prafke said. “We can borrow (USDA) money at a lower interest rate for land and construction infrastructure. That can chip a lot right off the top.”

Prafke talked about the need to build three- and four-bedroom low-income housing units for immigrants instead of smaller units.

“We don’t have any four-bedroom units available,” he added.

A small-town city staff member mentioned the need for more lead time before grand applications are due, that one or two months is not enough time.

USDA Rural Developer State Director Colleen Landkamer said her department is seeing urban and rural differences diminish.

“We’re learning how to help each other more with partnerships,” said Landkamer.

One business leader said bringing high-speed internet to every Minnesota county is important.

“It’s a serious situation. I know tribes struggle with this,” he added.

Lower Sioux Community leaders said they struggle with finding internet providers in underserved areas.

“We’re working with providers to bring us fiber optic cable,” he said. “There are lots of patchwork projects in rural areas.”

Smith said the discussion was among more than a dozen across the state over the past year.

“This was very interesting to hear,” she said. “It gives us lot of ideas for writing what goes into the Farm Bill next year,” she added. “People don’t think of rural development as part of the Farm Bill. They think it’s about crop insurance, commodity programs and conservation. They forget there are billions of dollars for broadband and housing for rural economic development. It’s really valuable to hear from these folks how well programs are working.”

USDA Rural Development provides loans, grants and technical assistance to build infrastructure like broadband, water systems and hospitals. Its programs expand access by prmoting e-connectivity and bolstering electric and transportation infrastructure. Other programs support business growth, health care, education, housing, and essential services for rural communities.