SPOTLIGHT: “Recreation Economy for Rural Communities” EPA Program

The Recreation Economy for Rural Communities planning assistance program helps communities identify strategies to grow their outdoor recreation economy and revitalize their main streets.

Outdoor activities are increasingly popular across the United States, and many communities are seeking to grow their outdoor recreation and tourism economy, while investing in their main streets and conserving forests and natural lands. Encouraging growth on main streets while promoting outdoor recreation can help foster community revitalization, protect air and water quality, create jobs and support economic diversification, and offer new opportunities for people to connect with the natural world.  

• Timeframe to Complete Project: 1-3 Years

• Cost Range: varies

• Key Words: community, public spaces, Intermediate, Public Spaces & Gathering Places, community engagement, community design, sense of place, arts, BIPOC, diversity, inclusion, race, placemaking, community values, indigenous, recreation economy, tourism, revitalization, planning, Main Street, Strategies, Action plan

Rural Communities Technical Assistance Program is supported by EPA, USDA Forest Service, Northern Border Regional Commission, and Appalachian Regional Commission. To learn more about Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Technical Assistance Program (RERC), click the button below.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Community Revitalization offers technical assistance to help communities learn about and implement inclusive planning and development approaches that promote community revitalization and smart growth. Learn more about Smart Growth Technical Assistance Programs by clicking the button below.