1. Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities Megan McConville Solutions for Sustainable Communities September 26, 2011 Edwards, Colorado Port Washington, Wisconsin Farm in Washington State Photo Credits (left to right): NRCS, EPA, Clark Anderson

2. Historical Rural America Small towns in rural areas served the agriculture economy Were mixed use, compact, and walkable by necessity; had regional transportation connections (RR or river transport) Physical form varied by region Marshall Town, Iowa Photo Credits (top to bottom): Library of Congress, NRCS

4. Loss of forest and other natural and working land

5. Some communities are growing, some are shrinking

6. Rapid growth at metro edges

7. Shrinking population in some communities

8. Limited access to jobs, services, and transportation

9. Limited planning capacityPhoto Credits (top to bottom, left to right): NRCS, NRCS, EPA

10. Smart Growth: A Response to Rural Challenges Development that provides: Choices for where to live and how to get around A stronger, more resilient economy A safer, healthier place to live Opportunities to protect the things that you love about the place you live (farmland and open space, natural beauty, sense of community, etc.) Skaneateles, New York Waitsfield, Vermont Photo Credits (top to bottom, left to right): EPA, NRCS, EPA

11. Edwards, Colorado Photo Credit: Clark Anderson

12. Crested Butte, Colorado Photo Credit: Clark Anderson

13. Gold Hill, Colorado Photo Credit: Charlier Associates, Inc.

14. Photo Credit: National Trust for Historic Preservation

15. Fiddlers Festival in Berlin, Maryland Photo Credit: Worcester County

16. A New Publication:Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities Partnership between the U.S. EPA and ICMA – a Smart Growth Network publication Lays out a framework for rural communities and small towns seeking to implement smart growth Set of tools, case studies, and resources

17. How to Grow and Maintain Rural Character:Three Broad Goals Support the rural landscape by creating an economic climate that enhances the viability of working lands and conserves natural lands. Help existing places thrive by taking care of assets and investments such as downtowns, Main Streets, existing infrastructure, and places that the community values. Create great new places by building vibrant, enduring neighborhoods and communities that people, especially young people, don’t want to leave. Staunton, Virginia National Forest in Colorado Photo Credit (top to bottom, left to right): EPA , NRCS, NRCS

19. Governors’ Institute workshops with rural focus: Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Iowa, and North Carolina

20. Rural guidebooks:

21. Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities

22. Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Rural Planning, Development and Zoning Codes (upcoming)

23. Smart Growth Achievement Awards: Rural development category

24. Work with NGOs (NADO, NACo, etc.) and other rural stakeholders

25. Partnering with HUD, DOT, USDA, ARCPhoto Credits (top to bottom, left to right): NRCS, NRCS, EPA

26. For More Information www.epa.gov/smartgrowth mcconville.megan@epa.gov Photo Credit: NRCS

28. Leverage unique natural & land-based resources to raise rural standard of living.

29. Support existing communities.

30. Direct investment to towns, villages and historic Main Streets and preserve the surrounding landscape.

31. Provide more transportation choices.

32. Take advantage of towns’ compact, mixed-use designs and locations along major corridors to renew intra- and inter-community transportation options.

33. Promote equitable, affordable housing.

34. Revitalize & diversify aging housing stock to attract and retain residents at all stages of life.

35. Value communities and neighborhoods.

36. Conserve and build upon unique and historic features like downtowns, Main Streets, barns, and iconic rural landscapes.

37. Coordinate policies and leverage investment.