August 5, 2025 - Washington, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation to make rural communities much more competitive for key federal funding. The More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) Grants Package would level the playing field between rural and urban communities and spur infrastructure development in underserved areas.

“When I meet with leaders from rural communities throughout the Silver State, I consistently hear one thing: they need better access to critical funding to make needed improvements to local facilities, health care, and infrastructure like water, energy and transportation,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan grants package will help make Nevada’s rural counties more competitive and give rural areas across the country greater access to the resources they need.”

“Montana’s rural communities are at a disadvantage when competing with larger jurisdictions for federal resources, said Senator Daines. “The MORE Grants Package will help rural counties with large amounts of non-tax generating federal land increase access to economic development and broadband programs as well as transportation grants. I’m proud to support it.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in leading this bipartisan bill package that will expand access to economic development, transportation, education, and broadband to every part of our state and country,” said Senator Schiff. “I am determined to ensure that all rural communities in California have access to the same federal resources and funding as any other region.”

“Rural counties with large shares of federally managed land face unique challenges in delivering infrastructure and essential services,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “The MORE Grants Package levels the playing field by providing practical, flexible tools that help public lands counties compete for federal funding and invest in long-term community development without adding costs for taxpayers. Counties thank Senators Cortez Masto and Daines for their bipartisan leadership and urge swift passage of this legislation.”

The federal government manages approximately 28 percent of the land in the United States, including over 85 percent of the land in Nevada. Land held by the federal government does not generate tax revenue and the communities that are found in these areas are typically small, rural, and under resourced. Senator Cortez Masto developed the MORE Grants Package in conversation with community leaders in rural areas to help generate adequate funding for High Density Public Lands Counties (HDPLC), which are sparsely populated areas with high levels of federally owned, non-revenue-generating land. The package includes two bipartisan bills.

The More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grants Act is cosponsored by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in addition to Senators Cortez Masto, Daines, and Schiff. It would increase the accessibility of U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development grant funding for HDPLC, including grants for health care, housing, local facilities, economic development, and infrastructure.

The More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) from Department of Transportation (DOT) Grants Act would increase the accessibility of U.S. Department of Transportation grant funding for HCPLC, including grants for rural roads, bridges, airports, transit, rail, and safety.

Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for Nevada’s rural communities, working across the aisle to deliver for families. She has worked to ensure rural Nevada communities have better access to federal funds and services through the Rural Partners Network. In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, she secured funding for rural schools and over $500 million for broadband. Cortez Masto also made sure the law included her legislation to help rural counties with internet access at local schools and streamline federal broadband funding to improve internet access for rural areas. She has led legislation to support key tourism and outdoor industries in every corner of Nevada through economic development.
Source: Senator Catherine Cortez Masto