We join in…

Rural and tribal communities today are facing unprecedented challenges.  Resource depletion, population and demographic shifts, economic stagnation, natural disaster, lack of expertise — all of these issues are making it difficult for our smaller communities to compete.  Years of decline have these towns on the brink of social and economic collapse.

It is this dire circumstance that drove us to create the Alliance for Rural Impact.  We believe in the power of rural America.  We believe that hope still exists in small towns across our country.  And we believe that true transformation can happen.

Many others have endeavored to reverse the decline in rural communities, including numerous public agencies and private foundations.  Billions of dollars have been spent on planning, leadership development, capital investment and community engagement in an attempt to jumpstart rural and tribal economies and improve quality of life.  Yet the margin of success is dependent upon a community’s willingness and – more importantly – ability to sustain momentum after supporting mechanisms are gone.

In many cases, grant and technical assistance programs offer short-term infusions of community development support designed to educate leaders and activists about how to create and implement a plan.  Our consulting team members have often played a part in this type of service delivery.  However, once the term of service has ended, the lessons learned are not continued, momentum is lost and plans go unrealized.

This is not usually due to a lack of desire by local leaders or citizens.  Instead, it is often related to a dearth of resources and expertise to invest in a protracted program of investment necessary to achieve long-term goals and impacts.   Governing bodies – especially in smaller communities – are in place to take care of basic services:  infrastructure, safety and emergency services.  There is no room in their already stretched resources to take on the many challenges of community and economic development, most of which require expert knowledge in specialized areas (planning, grant development and administration, data collection and analysis, project management, capital investment, financing, etc.).

The Alliance for Rural Impact is designed to provide all aspects of the community and economic development process utilizing unique and comprehensive delivery methodology.  We join in to drive progress until transformation is achieved.

Are you ready to see transformation in your community?  Contact us to get started!