A Navigator for Economic Growth: Rural Development’s Champion for People in Rural Maine

As the first splashes of sunlight spill across Maine’s granite peaks, USDA Rural Development (RD) State Director Rhiannon Hampson is already at the helm. In her previous role as (ME-01) Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s District Representative for Agricultural and Environmental Issues, this Mainer and the owner/operator of an organic dairy and livestock farm, saw firsthand the enormous impact public policy can have on agricultural producers, small businesses and their communities. As a USDA RD State Director, Hampson continues her career as a champion for rural people across her home state, helping them navigate new opportunities for growth.

With a population of merely 1.3 million people and nearly 90% of its landmass covered in dense woodland, Maine is one of the least populated states in the nation. It is best known for its almost 4,000 miles of rocky coastline bordered by more than 4,600 islands, the largest of which boasts the world-renowned Acadia National Park. Along Maine’s inlets and harbors, iconic lighthouses once helped vessels maneuver through fog and find safe passage around formidable cliffs. Now they stand as stalwart reminders of the state's rich maritime history. These features have earned Maine a reputation as a premier vacation destination, drawing millions of visitors each year.

For those lucky enough to call Maine their home, however, the wild and unyielding terrain creates peculiar challenges. “You can’t get there from here,” is a common response to someone asking for directions in the Pine Tree State. The refrain highlights the vast distances between towns and service centers, and the lack of basic infrastructure. The rugged topography makes travel difficult, and as a result, reinforces the need for strategic problem-solving.

In this place, where an aging population and geographic isolation can make anyone doubt the possibility of moving the needle of economic development from one level to the next, Hampson is committed to helping rural Mainers discover new paths to move their communities forward.

Raised in the rural pockets of Maine, Hampson possesses a passion for rural communities that informs and inspires her actions as a State Director. Rather than creating a one-size-fits-all approach, Hampson’s strategy relies on listening closely to the unique priorities of each community.

For example, when she first met with leaders from the Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC), they were searching for creative ways to support local businesses in Machias, Maine. Hampson convened listening sessions and provided funding information to help advance the economic goals of the community. That partnership led to a $100,000 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) to equip the MaineStreet Business Building, a hub offering conference spaces, private offices, and equipment for local businesses. Recently, the non-profit received another $75,000 RBDG grant to provide on-site technical assistance, networking and professional development events.

Hampson helped forge a clear path so local leaders knew which steps to take to make their dreams a reality. The partnership she and the local USDA RD staff created with SCEC will continue to impact local businesses throughout Washington County for generations to come. Hampson understands that championing rural people means making sure they have a seat at the table when it comes to making decisions about how federal investments will impact their communities. She has seen how identifying needs and empowering local leaders to pursue funding, can help people living in rural areas steer their communities toward growth.

Another major issue facing much of rural America is a severe lack of affordable housing. In Maine, Hampson says Rural Development’s Mutual Self-Help Program has been instrumental in addressing these concerns and has helped many families realize the dream of homeownership.

For the last 20 years, Community Concepts Inc. has managed the Mutual Self-Help Program in the state. Recently, Hampson was humbled to attend an annual event which brought together the wide cohort of participants in the program, some of whom are still actively building their homes and some of whom completed their homes almost two decades ago. The Self-Help Program not only gives these families a path to homeownership but also creates a community of like-minded individuals who provide support and encouragement along the way.

Hampson has also advocated for people residing in rural Maine by ensuring the utilization of Rural Development’s housing resources. In fiscal year 2023, by supporting rural Mainers in accessing affordable home loans through the Section 502 Direct Loan Program , RD’s Maine state office has been able to achieve more than 400% over last year's Section 502 program obligations. This success translates to improved living conditions for hundreds of families across rural Maine.

While Maine is well known for its lobster industry and provides more than 90% of the nation's lobster supply, Mainers are also setting their sights on the latest innovations and technologies to support heritage industries like forestry, farming and fishing. Investments through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) are supporting new aquaculture using kelp and seaweed growers and opening new market opportunities to producers in the state. In the last year, the number of REAP funded projects in the state has more than quadrupled, allowing Maine to make enormous strides toward supporting small businesses and addressing climate change.

As one of the few states to experience in-migration during the pandemic, Maine has become an attractive location for those who value the quality of life, close community connections, and the many ways rural places embody the ideals that are indicative of America’s spirit and character. Through the Biden-Harris Administration's historic investments in rural America and under Hampson’s relentless devotion to expanding opportunities for the people in her state, rural Maine is in the midst of record levels of growth.

Hampson loves witnessing public policy merge with creative problem-solving to ultimately transform the lives of fellow Mainers. Despite the many challenges, it’s a course she’s helped rural communities navigate successfully. With each project funded the people of rural Maine are finally discovering that, at least where their dreams are concerned, there is a way to get from here to there.