September 9, 2024
Today, we are highlighting the EPA’s Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Program, a program that is meant for rural communities with little capacity to submit complicated applications or share costs upfront.
Several funding opportunities in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act have created a lot of buzz; and rightfully so. The IRA Clean Energy Tax Credits, the EPA’s Community Change Grant, and the Economic Development Administration’s Recompete Pilot Program, to name a few, are catalysts for healthier communities and a cleaner, more equitable economy. They’ve been talked about, written about, and have often attracted more applicants than funds available. Even though many of those programs are targeted at disadvantaged communities, their oversubscription has made it particularly hard for many rural and under-resourced communities to get a piece of the funding pie.
So let’s take a look at this lesser known EPA assistance, the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Program, which supports low-resource rural communities:
What is the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Program?
The goal of the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) Program is to support downtown revitalization as well as the conservation of surrounding forests and natural lands to grow a vital recreation and tourism economy. Encouraging growth on Main Streets while promoting outdoor recreation can foster vibrant communities, create more jobs, protect air and water quality, and connect residents and visitors alike with beautiful nature.
RERC offers assistance through “a planning team that will help communities bring together local residents and other stakeholders to decide on strategies and an action plan to grow the local outdoor recreation economy. The planning assistance process will take place over 8 to 12 months, with a focal point being a facilitated community workshop. At the workshop, participants will work together to identify a vision, goals, and specific actions to realize the locally set goals.” The RERC Program does NOT provide any monetary grant funding for the implementation of recreational projects.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants for the RERC Program include:
– local governments,
– Tribes,
– nonprofit organizations,
– local colleges, universities, or extension agencies
Applicants can apply from any community in the United States.
The EPA does give special consideration to small towns and rural communities, economically disadvantaged communities, as well as tribal communities. Special consideration is also given to communities in three specified U.S. regions, the Appalachian region being one of them.
How to Apply?
The EPA has an online application form to apply for RERC assistance.The application form is fairly short and straightforward. After providing basic demographic data, applicants are asked 11 questions about their community and their reasons to apply for RERC planning assistance. Each of these open-ended questions has a limit of 1000 to 1200 characters which amounts to about a half-page answer per question. The submission of Letter(s) of Support and/or pictures is optional.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 16, 2024.
What Are Some of the Selection Criteria?
When selecting partner communities for the RERC planning assistance, EPA will consider community needs. If your community faces economic challenges and/or disinvestment in its downtown or other long-established neighborhoods, then this program is for you. Again, communities in Appalachia will also be under special consideration.
While the EPA is looking for lead organizations that would benefit from RERC assistance when planning a public workshop and convene stakeholders, the program needs lead organizations that have the capacity and resources to help plan the workshop and implement the resulting action plan. The purpose of the RERC Team will be to actively assist with the planning and to help along the way, but it needs community support to achieve meaningful results.
The goal of the planned project is to foster both economic development and the protection of the natural environment. The RERC planning assistance supports the development of a local recreation economy that helps revitalize Main Streets, creates jobs, and promotes a sustainable use of forests and other natural lands.
If you want to learn more about the 2024 RERC application, please check here.
Beyond Recreation Economy for Rural Communities – The Development of a Recreational Economy Needs to Be Done Right
The secret is out – the natural beauty of Appalachia is breathtaking and the opportunity for recreational activities are endless. Already, tourists from all over the U.S. come to enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking or skiing in our neck of the woods. While the creation of a recreational economy offers the potential to boost Appalachian communities and to protect its natural assets, we need to make sure it supports the people who live here.
Local residents need a fair shot at opening their Main Street business, working in hospitality, or building and maintaining a trail while earning a family sustaining salary and health benefits. We also need to ensure that affordable housing isn’t threatened by the presence of new eco-tourism opportunities.
ReImagine Appalachia continues to push for federal policies and programs that help create a sustainable economy while supporting communities, workers and the environment. If you want to learn more about workforce development programs that help to enhance and restore our natural infrastructure, please check out our related report.