Rural Service and Workforce Corps Act

H.R. 7201, the Rural Service and Workforce Corps Act, would establish a federal program administered by the Secretary of Labor to address workforce shortages in rural communities. The bill would offer education assistance and loan repayment benefits to individuals who agree to work in designated rural areas facing critical workforce gaps. Participants would receive financial support for their education and student loan repayment in exchange for a service commitment in rural locations. The program aims to attract and retain workers in rural communities by reducing the financial burden of education costs, similar to existing federal loan repayment programs for healthcare professionals. If enacted, the bill could help rural areas recruit workers across various occupations by making rural service more financially attractive to job seekers burdened by student debt.