Rural Cities

During 2003-2006, NLC carried out a project, supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, focused on municipalities located in rural areas.  Some of the products of that work remain timely and are provided here.

Articles in Nation's Cities Weekly

Funding Resources Available for Rural and Urban Workforce Development Initiatives (10/17/05)

Great Strides Award for Poverty Reduction (09/19/05)

21st Century Knowledge-Based Economy in Rural America (07/25/05)

Activities Celebrate Small Cities and Towns (06/27/05)

Rural Communities Have Unique Transportation Needs (05/09/05)

Federal Reserve Defines New Classification of Rural Counties (10/11/04)

Improving Entrepreneurship in Rural Communities (09/13/04)

Telehealth Brings Care to Rural Areas (04/26/04)

Using Technology to Connect Rural Communities (04/05/04)

Research Shows Rural, Suburban Communities Benefit From EITC (03/1/04)

A Portrait of Rural America - Challenges and Opportunities (2006)

America's rural communities are at a crossroads.  In some respects, they face many of the same challenges and choices going forward as the nation's metropolitan areas. However, many of the issues rural communities are dealing with are unique to them -- and require unique strategies and solutions.  The purpose of the brief is to help promote a greater understanding of what is happening in rural areas in the United States, as well as how rural communities can ensure economic vitality in the years ahead.
>> Research Brief

City Practices Database

This database provides examples of programs and best practices about cities and covers a variety of topics, including rural communities. Click here to access the City Practices database.

Affordable Housing Finance Resources:  A Primer

This booklet presents summaries of programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Agriculture, as well as, foundations and grant-making institutions that offer funding to cities that address their affordable housing needs.  Click here to download a copy of the booklet.