Rural

Press release: The President’s budget will devastate communities, especially in smaller and rural communities

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Washington, DC (May 2)—Today, Smart Growth America responded to President Donald Trump’s discretionary budget request for FY 2026, which proposes deep cuts to programs including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships Programs, and housing assistance programs—slashing vital housing and community development programs that serve millions of Americans. “President Trump’s budget proposal is … Continued

Land Use and Development

Smart growth in rural communities: Key takeaways from the latest Smart Growth Network convening

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Rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to growth and development. At the recent Smart Growth Network meeting hosted by the National Endowment for the Arts, experts came together to discuss how smart growth principles can be applied effectively in rural settings. The Smart Growth Network (SGN) is a national alliance of advocates, practitioners, … Continued

Complete Streets Events

Completing Rural Highways: Challenges and strategies for state agencies

From November 2022 to May 2023, Smart Growth America worked with the State Smart Transportation Initiative, a project of SGA and the High Road Strategy Center, to host a series of four virtual workshops for staff at state departments of transportation (DOTs) to discuss challenges and strategies for implementing Complete Streets on state-owned rural roads. The goals of these workshops were to 1) provide space for small teams from state DOTs to engage in peer-to-peer conversations, idea exchange, and problem-solving and 2) identify and uplift the approaches that are working for state DOTs at the national level. There were roughly 30 participants from nine states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

Complete Streets Transportation

Completing Rural Highways: Managing and maintaining assets

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Whenever an agency plans to develop new community assets—whether it is a road, utility, or sidewalk—they must have systems such as funding and coordination for regular maintenance in place to preserve them in the long term. Having those systems in place and a concrete plan to coordinate with local agencies can preemptively address unique challenges related to Complete Streets projects.

Complete Streets Transportation

Completing Rural Highways: Funding Complete Streets

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Even with a strong commitment to Complete Streets principles, many state agencies and their local partners lack dedicated and consistent funding streams to add the necessary elements to existing road projects. Rural infrastructure can be particularly difficult to fund, costing more per capita, so adding new elements is often seen by state and local agencies as a burden. Smart Growth America and the State Smart Transportation Initiative worked with practitioners to illustrate how their peers have found ways to overcome these obstacles.

Complete Streets Transportation

Completing Rural Highways: Making the case

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Gaining widespread support for Complete Streets projects can be a challenge. Agencies sometimes face resistance from within or they face opposition from local businesses and community members. Smart Growth America and the State Smart Transportation Initiative worked with practitioners to identify obstacles to making the case for Complete Streets and illustrate how their peers have found ways to overcome them.

Complete Streets Transportation
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