News Update
Federal agencies provide assistance to rural communities
Staff Report
Enviro-Net
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Northern Border Regional Commission selected 10 communities under the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities assistance program to help revitalize their Main Streets through outdoor recreation.
Several of the selected communities are in or adjacent to Opportunity Zones, economically-distressed areas that can be designated for preferential tax treatment. The 10 communities selected for assistance include: Cambridge, NY; Fryeburg, ME; Giles County, VA; Glenwood Springs, CO; Gorham, NH; Grants, NM; Jasper, AL; John Day, OR; Poultney, VT; and Thompson Falls, MT.
Through Recreation Economy for Rural Communities assistance, a planning team appointed by EPA and its federal counterparts will help the partner communities create an action plan to grow the local outdoor recreation economy in ways that promote sustainable resource management and environmentally friendly community development.
The selected communities are planning to revitalize their communities in a variety of ways, including building new trail connections, boosting downtown amenities, connecting nearby hiking-biking trails to downtown, and working to attract recreation-related economic opportunities.
The planning process will take place over four to six months, with a two-day facilitated community workshop as the focal point. Participants will work together to identify a vision, goals, and specific actions to realize the locally set goals.
Source: U.S. EPA press release