Rural Development Virtual Library
Enhancing opportunity through the building of assets and wealth is the most promising strategy for creating a future for rural communities and their residents. This "virtual library" contains resources we have developed to champion such strategies.
Our research into rural development and rural asset-building strategies is made possible through the support of the Ford Foundation and the Otto Bremer Foundation.
"Assets like businesses and houses bond one to a place and help to build sustainable communities. Individuals and families build an asset base that lifts the veil of poverty and dependence on low-wage work. Communities become stronger and more viable as opportunities and ownership are expanded to a wider group of people."
- Jon Bailey, Director of Rural Research and Analysis Program, Center for Rural Affairs
The Center for Rural Affairs has several resources available on rural development and rural asset and wealth-building. Links are to Adobe Acrobat pdf files or other sites.
| Small Businesses in Rural Nebraska: Their Needs and Thoughts | This report details the findings of recent survey work by REAP. The “Small Business Needs Assessment”, a self-administered survey, was made available to approximately 1,000 REAP clients and to local chambers of commerce,
economic development organizations, Nebraska Economic Development
Association members, the Nebraska Bankers Association and other service
providers that work with Nebraska’s small businesses.
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| Promising Opportunities: A Fresh Look at Opportunities for Rural Communities | In 2004, we published and released a report highlighting economic development strategies that were working for communities across the rural Great Plains. Fresh Promises focused on these opportunities and divided them into six categories that are crucial for viable rural communities, especially ones that are agriculturally-based. These categories are again highlighted in this report—one that looks at potential legislation that is necessary for these economic opportunities to be replicated in other communities, regions, and states. |
| Economic Outcomes of Rural Microenterprise Development in the 2007 Farm Bill |
The Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 – H.R. 2419, the U.S. House of Representatives version of the 2007 Farm Bill – was adopted on July 27, 2007. Included in H.R. 2419 is the Rural Entrepreneur and Microenterprise Assistance Program (REMAP), a $20 million annual grant and loan program with the express purpose to provide technical assistance and capital to new or expanding small businesses in rural areas. It is anticipated that the U.S. Senate version of the 2007 Farm Bill will contain a similar provision. |
| An Analysis of USDA Farm Program Payments and Rural Development Funding in Low Population Growth Rural Communities | In 13 Midwest, Great Plains and Intermountain West states, 260 of the region’s largest farm operations received more money from USDA farm programs than all the people and communities in 260 examined counties, containing nearly 3 million people in over 1,400 incorporated municipalities, received from rural development programs according to a report released today by the Center for Rural Affairs. |
| The Impact and Benefits of USDA Research and Grant Programs to Enhance Mid-Size Farm Profitability and Rural Community Success |
With this study, we sought to better understand how key USDA grant and research programs are serving beginning and small and mid-size farms and ranches, and what steps might be taken to improve these programs or develop new solutions to enhance farm profitability and rural community success.
View this report as a Macromedia Flash Document. |
| Developing a Small Business Network in Nebraska | This report examines the potential for establishing a business network program linking businesses in the metropolitan and trade center cities and small businesses in the most rural areas of Nebraska to enhance economic opportunities and build stronger local economies in rural Nebraska. It was prepared under an award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. |
| Natural-Resource Amenities and Nebraska’s Economy: Current Connections, Challenges and Possibilities | This report examines the possibilities Nebraska and Nebraskans have to build individual, household and community wealth through the use of their natural resource assets. The report was prepared by ECONorthwest of Eugene, Oregon, for a coalition of state agencies, organizations and public officials, including the Center for Rural Affairs. |
| Why Rural Matters II: The Rural Impact of the Administration’s FY07 Budget Proposal | This report was released by the National Rural Network (NRN), a coalition of close to 70 organizations working together to address the concerns of rural America. The Center is a member of the coalition and helped write the report. |
| Strengthening Rural in the United States | Presents Chapter 5 of the 2005 Bread for the World Hunger Report. |
| Wealth Building in Rural America: Programs, Policies, Research | A paper presented at the Assets and Opportunities: Growing Wealth, Reducing Poverty and Achieving Equity in Rural America conference sponsored by the National Rural Funders Collaborative in Washington, DC May 30 – June 1, 2006, Washington DC. |
| Rural Broadband White Paper | Nebraska’s ban on municipal broadband exacerbates Nebraska’s digital divide says the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, along with the Center for Rural Affairs, Common Cause, Free Press, Media Access Project, the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest and the Rural Policy Research Institute. |
| Building Wealth in Rural Communities: The New Homestead Act and Individual Homestead Accounts | Examines the potential Individual Homestead Accounts have to bring about positive impacts to individual well-being and community welfare – business startups and expansions, job creation, education and skill enhancement, improved housing and greater retirement security. |
