Communities interested in identifying strategies to grow their outdoor recreation economy and revitalize their Main Streets can apply for assistance from the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) program.
RERC provides assistance for entities to form a local steering committee that is then paired with a team of federal agency partners and consultants to identify a vision, set goals, and create an action plan. Strategies and action plans could focus on creating or expanding trail networks, developing in-town amenities such as broadband service and electric vehicle charging stations, marketing local downtowns and Main Streets as gateways to nearby natural land, and engaging in stewardship of outdoor recreation.
Eligible entities include local governments, Tribal Nations, nonprofit organizations, local colleges, universities, and extension offices. Special consideration will be given to small towns and rural communities, Tribal communities, and economically disadvantaged communities.
The deadline to apply for RERC assistance is Oct. 16. The application can be found here.
The RERC is a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Community Revitalization, the USDA Forest Service, the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Denali Commission.
