By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

MACOMB, Ill. — Fresh from a trip to Capitol Hill where he testified in front of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture, Dr. Timothy Collins is encouraged by Congress’ interest in small business development in rural America.

“I think we received a positive response to the suggestions we offered to the committee, including the creation of programs to promote the creation of eco-industrial parks for renewable energy projects based on both wind and biofuels,” said Collins, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) assistant director, after attending the Oct. 21 hearing at the request of the subcommittee’s chairman, Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.).

McIntyre wanted a report on how the USDA is working with partners such as the IIRA to expand entrepreneurship and business development in rural areas. The subcom...