Rural Community Development

There’s been an interesting series in the Daily Yonder on rural economic development in Alabama, but I think the author’s comments and conclusions apply to Wisconsin or any rural area.  Larry Lee starts his last installment with the observation “What we’ve called ‘rural development’ has failed us miserably for decades.”  A pretty strong statement, but he supports it with reasoned examples.  His suggested solutions?  Rebuild education and focus on the economy, but not the traditional small manufacturing economy.  That may be gone for many communities.  Be creative.  Think outside the box.  All that stuff you hear that in many cases has simply become buzzwords.  For example, many rural communities have discovered alternative tourism, like bicycling.  The Bicycling Federation of Wisconsin reports that bicycling contributes almost $1.5 billion to Wisconsin’s economy annually.  Check out the website for details and ideas on how to tap into this growing market.

I found a good outline for a development plan on the Rural Assistance Center’s site:  Successful communities are built; they are not born.  To ensure that a quality living environment exists in rural America along with stable economic opportunities, residents must be empowered to effect change within their communities. Therefore, community development must encompass a broad mix of talents and tasks regarding business development, infrastructure improvements, city planning, environmental concerns and social institutions - to name a few. With the right tools and resources, rural residents, working together, can create the difference between a sustainable, successful community versus one that is added to the list of dying towns across rural America.  This Guide to Community-Based Planning might be a good place to start your community development process.  It can be a bit academic, but it has some good ideas on how to start the planning process, and without a plan, where are you going to go?

Madison will host a 12-state USDA Rural Development conference on May 4 & 5.  The conference is part of their Partnership Building and Regional Collaboration project.  The goal is to promote regional collaboration and partnerships on economic and energy development, tourism and broadband. 

Here are some community development-related funding opportunities.

Amerprise Financial awards grants through its community relations programs in several categories, including community development (“improving the vitality and livability of neighborhoods”).  There are multiple deadlines throughout the year: May 1 and September 1.

USDA Rural Development’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program is “designed to provide access to education, training and health care resources for people in rural America.”  Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000, so you don’t need an enormous project to qualify.  There’s a lot of money available, so seriously consider applying by May 18.  Eligible expenses include buying/leasing DLT equipment and purchasing instructional programming and medical or educational equipment.  Also consider the USDA Community Facilities program.  This is a combination loan/grant program (communities with lower incomes receive more grants) to build or improve community buildings and equipment, including clinics, fire/EMS facilities and equipment, senior centers, libraries, etc.  There are no deadlines for this program.  Contact your local USDA Rural Development office.

U.S. Bancorp Foundation’s funding priorities include economic development.  They’re interested in programs that support small business development and expansion, commercial revitalization, and job creation.  They also support home buyer counseling and job and life skills training and they’ll fund educational and cultural community projects.  There is no deadline, but they will only consider projects in communities with a US Bank.

The Jenny Jones Foundation funds smaller community projects.  There is no deadline and no specific focus.  Her foundation has funded everything from library shelves to a community greenhouse to playground equipment to 5 pairs of stilts!

The Land O’Lakes Foundation helps rural communities through several different programs focused on education and youth, human services, civic improvement and the arts.  One option is the Cooperative Match Program; the Foundation will match contributions of member Land O’Lakes cooperatives to fund local projects, such as senior centers, 4-H programs, or EMS equipment.  The deadline for this program is December 1.  The Community Grants Program is focusing on hunger issues this year but will consider other proposals.  Deadlines are May 1 and January 1.

April 20, 2010  Tags: , , , , ,   Posted in: Conferences and Webinars, Grant Advice

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