Renew Rural America | Community Development

Strong Economies

Creating Entrepreneurial Communities: The most effective economic development strategy for many rural communities is small entrepreneurship.
Strong Farms and Ranches: A single-family farm contributes $720,000 to the local economy, or the equivalent of eight $40,000 "town jobs". On average, 7 farms support 1 town business. This link offers strategies for keeping farms and ranches local and vibrant.
Small Businesses: This link takes you to the home of the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) of the Center for Rural Affairs. REAP is about strengthening rural communities through small, self-employed business development.

Rural Schools, A Primer: Rural schools have come a long way from the one-room school houses of the past and are a shining example to many over-crowded large schools in metro communities.
The Case for Small Schools (PDF) This special series from the Center for Rural Affairs makes the case that that small schools often have higher graduation rates, better participation of students in a variety of activities and higher achievement than their larger counterparts.
Consolidation: A Tool Kit: This site, from the Rural School and Community Trust offers insight and resources for communities facing consolidation.

Rural Broadband: High-speed internet is revolutionizing the way we do business, interact with our government, and is a necessary utility equivalent to electricity in the 1930s.
Rural Schools, A Primer: Rural schools are a large employer, offer social activities for residents and contribute to local economy. In many communities, they are a cornerstone.
Grocery Stores: If you live in a rural community, you understand that our grocery store is arguably one of the most important businesses in town.
Making Communities Desirable Places to Live: For rural communities to thrive, they must be places where people want to live.
Attracting Seniors to Your Community
Community Facilities: This page gives the ins and outs of the Community Facilities Program, which provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees for essential community facilities.
Creating a Community Garden
Farmers Market Promotion Program: Help for communities hoping to start or expand markets.
Green Spaces for Your Community
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as “food stamps,” is a program to help low-income people afford the food they need.
Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Hunting on Private Lands:

Community Development Strategies: People think community development is an expensive process, but it doesn’t have to be. All it takes are a few simple questions to get the ball rolling and get the community interested.
Community Revitalization Discussion Guides: Strategies for talking about a community's most pressing issues.
Recruiting and Retaining New Community Members: This page offers examples of local efforts to increase population in rural communities, what brings new residents in, and most importantly, what keeps them in rural communities.
Community Development Guide: This guide gives key references to assist communities, including information on grants, foundations, even low-interest loans.
New Markets Tax Credit: Leveraging Investor Money in Low-Income Communities
Rural Tourism: Expert Joanne Steele explains why times have never been better for adding tourism to a small town’s economic mix.
Leadership Skills: Tips for how to become a community leader.
Community Revitalization Digest
Renewable Energy: Making it Work for Rural America