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Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. When Americans think of DEIA, they might picture heated debates about policies balancing systemic prejudice in the workplace. Most studies regarding DEIA focus on racial and gender demographics. One of the most important aspects regarding DEIA, however, has absolutely nothing to do with either of these.

Eighty-six percent of American counties experiencing long-term, multi-decade poverty are situated in rural areas. Although rural Americans make up 14% of the population, they reside in 22% of housing units with severe physical deficiencies. More than a quarter of a century after America landed men on the moon, over half a million rural homes in the United States don’t have clean running water.

These existing disparities become even more concerning given the fact that rural communities in America have to pull their weight disproportionately, compared to larger municipalities and urbanized towns, to gain access to grants.

“The criteria for many........

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