Tag Archives: rural development

Getting Ahead of the Aging Curve

Preparing for Demographic Change in Rural America Reprinted from the Small Town & Rural Planning newsletter, Fall 2016. The other night, Planning Commission was looking at demographics in our rural county of about 12,000, with a touch of skepticism.  Archuleta … Continue reading

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Development Professional Available

Friends, I am currently seeking a new opportunity in community and economic development, policy analysis or public administration, particularly in the Rocky Mountain or Great Plains states.  I do my best work with a small team of professionals dedicated to excellence … Continue reading

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Fewer Births, More Deaths, Changing Migration Patterns

Where I tried to strike an upbeat note last week in finding some population growth in rural America, the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) lays out the grim statistics for nonmetropolitan areas in black and blue.  From their website this week: … Continue reading

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Aztec Business Hub Makes the Paper (no fooling!)

The Farmington, New Mexico, Daily Times featured one of my work projects on the front page today. The City of Aztec and the San Juan College Enterprise Center have been exploring the feasibility of a small business incubator, similar to … Continue reading

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Rural America is Growing—Except Where It Isn’t

The Bakken is booming.  New US Census Bureau population estimates indicate that 7 out of the dozen fastest growing counties in the United States over the last four years are in the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana.  Yes, … Continue reading

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Meet Some New Friends Doing Interesting Things In Community Development

Spring is in the air.  Local citizens are coming out of their winter’s cocoons and are eager to do something.  You’re right on top of that, coaxing your friends and neighbors to stop pushing buttons (between planning and doing) and starting … Continue reading

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Railroads Rebuked for Failing Freight Service

It used to be that at the very least you could count on the trains running on time. Not anymore.  The Red River Farm Network out of Grand Forks, ND, has great coverage of agricultural issues across the northern Great … Continue reading

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STaR Award Winner from 2004 Stands Test of Time

  This month, the American Planning Association’s National Planning Conference takes place in Atlanta, Georgia.  Ten years ago, the Conference was held in Washington, DC, where the APA Small Town & Rural (STaR) Division recognized Coconino County, AZ, for excellence in … Continue reading

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Symposium on Small Towns Set for June

The Center for Small Towns of the University of Minnesota at Morris presents an excellent conference each spring on small town and rural issues.  This is where I met Ben Winchester for the first time and started learning about his … Continue reading

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Bring Your Small Town Some First Class Design with CIRD RFP

The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is a fascinating partnership of the USDA, Project for Public Spaces, and Orton Family Foundation, working to provide small towns and rural communities (population <50,000) with support on design, planning and creative placemaking. … Continue reading

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