WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a new public data tool aimed at increasing transparency around rural investment — and it could have local relevance for Lenawee County.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says its new Lender Lens dashboard makes detailed information on federally backed rural development loans publicly available for the first time in one place.
The tool is part of USDA’s Rural Data Gateway and allows users to view and download data by state, county, and congressional district. That includes loan volume, project types, geographic distribution, and performance trends tied to Rural Development funding.
Because Lenawee County qualifies as a rural area under federal definitions, residents, local officials, and lenders can use the dashboard to review past and current USDA-backed investments connected to the county, including funding for infrastructure, business development, and essential services.
USDA officials say the goal is to give communities clearer insight into where federal dollars are going and how rural investment programs are being used.
The data is updated monthly and is available to the public online through the Rural Data Gateway.