Resources
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Recent Resources
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Using Industry & Human Capital to Build Sustainable Rural Communities
This report defines asset-based economic development, and provides several case studies in which industry and industrial clusters, as well as human capital have benefited the economies of rural communities—retaining and creating jobs, and increasing income and the local tax base—while also enhancing the community’s quality of life and sense of place.
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Smart Growth Strategies for Rural Communities
This report provides rural decision-makers with smart growth strategies that can be applied particularly to the rural context, especially in times of change. The report focuses on strategies that can help guide growth in rural areas based around supporting the rural landscape, helping existing places to thrive, and creating great new places. Throughout the report, success stories are provided of rural communities applying the strategies.
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Using Historic & Cultural Resources to Build Sustainable Rural Communities
This report examines how improving existing infrastructure and capitalizing on historic cultural resources can revitalize a rural community’s economy. The report features Silver City, New Mexico as an example of a Main Street that became vibrant with activity and culture after being vacant and dilapidated after flooding. The report also highlights Lindsborg, Kansas, a small town that capitalized on its heritage rooted in Swedish culture to revitalize its economy.
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Using Natural Resources and Amenities to Build Sustainable Rural Communities
This report looks at how natural resource strengths and working landscapes can often provide the basis for rural economic activities. A case study of Killington, Vermont highlights the economic development strategies related to working landscapes and recreation.
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Choosing Your Channels: How To Use Social Media Effectively
This step-by-step guide is a useful starting point for communities wanting to harness social media, and use it as a powerful tool to advocate for their work, grow audiences and attract funding.
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The Path Towards A Smart Rural Community
This report explains the importance of ‘smart’ rural communities which use broadband networks to promote and support economic growth, education, health, provision of government services and utilities and public safety.
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Picking Your Partners For Community Planning
This quick guide explains how partnerships can be established and maintained for successful community planning projects. It covers key topics, such as recruiting partners, forming a sustainable partnership, and strategies for maintaining it.
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Engagement For All: A Guide To Youth Participation
Engaging Youth is an extensive guide to involving young people in community planning. It offers comprehensive guidelines, case studies, references and worksheets to encourage youth participation, and to make it a valuable experience for all involved.
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Low Risk, High Return: A Neighborhood Approach
This report about A Better Brainard reveals the power of low cost, high return planning strategies for communities lacking access to stable funding. It describes how a neighborhood-based approach can leverage a high return on public investment.
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How Placemaking Builds Places And Communities
This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of Placemaking, which includes outlines the approaches' origins, history, success stories, and common challenges by drawing upon relevent case studies.