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populations of less than 5,000, these nonmetropolitan areas, by 

 and large, don't have people with the experience and expertise 

 needed to advance and sustain innovative types of economic 

 development. The least we can do is make government more of a 

 "one-stop shopping" experience. 



We must recognize and respond appropriately to the fact that 

 rural areas are unable to fund the local share for many projects 

 due to low population density. Likewise, it is tough, if not 

 impossible for many rural communities to comply with certain 

 mandates contained in the the Clean Water Act and the Safe 

 Drinking Water Act, for example. 



— When we reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education 

 Act — we need to change provisions which currently give a 

 funding advantage to more urban school districts. 



But, funding alone is not the solution. Investment in bold 

 educational reforms will have to be at the center of any economic 

 growth strategy if the U.S. is going to compete in a new global 

 market . 



Our schools should be laboratories, not factories — places of 

 experimentation and creativity. Innovative ideas — even more 

 than money — is what is needed to revitalize American education. 



