The Department of Agriculture says more than 130 cities, including Sacramento and Rancho Cordova in Northern California, have expressed interest in hosting USDA agencies that would move from Washington as part of a controversial reorganization plan.
USDA says 136 entities in 35 states are interested in becoming the new homes of the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
In August, Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that most ERS and NIFA personnel would be moving to outside the Washington area by the end of 2019 and invited interested parties to submit proposals.
Perdue called the interest “overwhelming,” adding that it is “gratifying” states are stepping forward to prove “not all wisdom resides in Washington, D.C.”
The entities expressing interest include educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, state development agencies, county development agencies, municipalities, and for-profit entities.
