The NeighborWorks network has become increasingly active in rural communities around the country. Today, over 40 organizations in the network participate in the Rural Initiative.
[View list of Rural Initiative members]

Your Guide to Rural Community Economic Development Resources

The NeighborWorks Rural Initiative, formed in 2000, focuses on building the capacity of rural community development organizations in the areas of housing and economic development activities. The initiative advocates a mixed market approach to strengthen communities with smaller populations by integrating them within larger regional economies. To find the NeighborWorks organization closest to you, click here.

The NeighborWorks Rural Initiative has generated more than $1 billion in investment in rural communities across the United States while directly assisting more than 32,000 rural families with financial counseling, new home purchases, repairs to existing homes, economic development and job creation, new and improved units of affordable rental housing, and much-needed community facilities.

Community Economic Development

Manufactured Housing

Key Strategies in Rural Development

Guided by a national steering committee of rural NeighborWorks practitioners, the initiative has identified “comprehensive rural community development” as its overarching goal.

Key strategies for the Rural Initiative and Community Economic Development include:

USDA Partnership—The U.S. Department of Agriculture is a key partner of the NeighborWorks Rural Initiative. Rural NeighborWorks organizations are working with such USDA programs as the Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative, and Rural Utilitiy Service.

Training Rural Leaders—In addition to building capacity among rural NeighborWorks organizations, the Initiative has sponsored regional and national training events for community development practitioners working in rural communities.

Public Policy Catalyst
Globalization is dramatically changing the rural economy, and a lack of good jobs is creating a rural “brain drain” to urban areas. It is widely believed among rural development practitioners that for rural America to survive, it needs a new vision and new models for success. The NeighborWorks Rural Initiative is working closely with rural NWOs and the NeighborWorks Training Institute, to generate a national discussion on rural policy.

For further information on the NeighborWorks Rural Initiative and Community Economic Development, contact David Dangler at ddangler@nw.org or at (617) 585-5011.