Federal Resources for Sustainable Rural Communities

Rural communities across America are working to strengthen their economies, provide better quality of life for residents, and build on assets such as traditional main streets, agricultural and working lands, and natural resources. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities—made up of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that the four agencies’ spending, policies, and programs support rural communities’ efforts to be vibrant, thriving places for current and future generations.This guide to HUD, DOT, EPA, and USDA programs highlights federal resources rural communities can use to promote economic competitiveness, protect healthy environments, and enhance quality of life. It provides key information on funding and technical assistance opportunities available from the four agencies, as well as examples of how rural communities across the country have put these programs into action. Each agency offers different ways of approaching infrastructure planning and construction, economic development, pollution cleanup, and other issues that are part of achieving sustainable communities. Coordinating and leveraging multiple funding and assistance sources can help communities advance their overall visions and goals. While this guide is not exhaustive and the programs listed may change, it provides a menu of options rural communities and small towns can consider when planning and implementing projects. The guide is organized by agency and then by broad topic areas that are similar across agencies.