President Barack Obama will conduct interviews with eight local television stations -- in mostly Republican-friendly parts of swing states -- to promote his Democratic administration’s efforts for rural communities.

Obama, who is seeking re-election in November, also will announce an additional investment of about $2 billion through 2016 for rural businesses, according to a White House official familiar with the plans, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.

A joint report about rural America will be released by the Council of Economic Advisers, the White House Rural Council, and USDA.

The television markets for the interviews are in Republican-leaning parts of presidential election swing states – Green Bay, WI; Roanoke, VA; Jacksonville, FL; Sioux City, IA; Colorado Springs, CO; and Reno, NE -- as well as Fresno in solidly Democratic California, and Greenville in solidly Republican South Carolina.

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