This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Community and economic development

Data in the North Central Region: The Nebraska Rural Poll, the Ohio Farm Poll, and the NCR-Stat
A recorded webinar that provides an overview of data derived from three polls covering the North Central Region (NCR): Nebraska Rural Poll, Ohio Farm Poll, and NCR-Stat. The polls provide NCR-focused information on community well-being and economic development, employment, policy, agriculture and farm households, population health status, and migration. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): L.J. McElravy, Douglas Jackson-Smith, Zuzana Bednarik
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
view details
Produce Prescription Programs Offer 'A Holistic Approach' to Addressing Rural Food Insecurity and Diet-Related Disease
Features produce prescription programs serving rural Mississippi, New Mexico, and Vermont that are helping improve access to healthy foods for those with diet-related chronic conditions. Describes how produce Rx programs can support local food systems and discusses funding and sustainability considerations.
Author(s): Brendan Stermer
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
Michigan's Roadmap to Rural Prosperity
Describes the characteristics, challenges, and significance of Michigan's rural communities, and identifies strategies for building rural prosperity. Presents data on rural and urban demographics and living conditions. Discusses rural health and well-being, workforce, service delivery, housing, infrastructure, economic development, and natural environment.
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity
view details
Investing in Rural Downtowns: What Role are EDDs Playing?
Discusses the role of Economic Development Districts (EDDs) in rural downtown revitalization. Summarizes the planning, investment, and development process. Provides case studies of EDDs involved in each stage of downtown revitalization.
Additional links: One-Page Summary
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Development Organizations
view details
The Age-Dependency Ratio in the North Central Region: Implications for Regional and Community Development Research Brief
Examines the North Central region age-dependency ratio, or the number of dependent individuals (ages 0 to 14 years and 65 or older) compared to the working population (ages 15 to 64 years), and how this impacts workforce and economic development. Provides 2000-2022 population data broken down by metro, suburban, and rural as well as by selected states and counties. Allows user to search within tables and scroll through counties.
Author(s): Roberto Gallardo
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
view details
Eradicating Rural Poverty: The Power of Cooperation
Series of articles describing how community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and other community development organizations have addressed persistent poverty and disinvestment in rural areas, including the Black Belt, tribal nations, and Appalachia. Discusses philanthropy, housing, availability of federal and private funding, and more.
Citation: Nonprofit Quarterly
Date: 2024
view details
Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook: Solutions, Systems, Partnerships
Provides an overview on housing shortages in the United States and its impact on quality of life and economic growth. Discusses locally driven solutions to solve housing supply issues, focusing on regional strategies and issues specific to rural.
Author(s): Lauren Lowery, Michael Wallace, Jason Jordan, et al.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organizations: American Planning Association, National League of Cities
view details
Healthy Places NC: 10 Years That Changed the Way We Work
Reports on 10 years of activities by Healthy Places NC, an initiative focused on health improvement in North Carolina's rural and underserved communities. Discusses planning and implementation, challenges, lessons, case studies, network development and collaboration, and more. Describes the importance of addressing racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities and achieving health equity.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Video: 10 Years of Healthy Places NC
Author(s): Kristen Burwell Naney, Douglas Easterling, Tanya Beer, Mina Silberberg
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
view details
Small Towns, Big Opportunities
Report evaluating rural employment opportunities, defined as a "good job" based on income thresholds. Discusses labor force participation among men and women, as well as by race and ethnicity, educational attainment, disability, and more. Offers recommendations for rural growth through education, training opportunities, and emerging industries. Includes rural and urban comparisons in addition to county level maps for each state.
Additional links: State Maps
Author(s): Anthony P. Carnevale, Lulu Kam, Martin Van Der Werf
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
view details
Redlining The Reservation: The Brutal Cost Of Financial Services Inaccessibility In Native Communities
Report discusses the lack of financial services for tribal communities. Explores the consequences of a lack of financial investment in tribal communities, such as a lack of small businesses, new construction, and economic growth. Provides county-level and tribe-level data for Arizona and New Mexico. Discusses the effect this has on social determinants of health.
Author(s): Dave Castillo, Bruce C. Mitchell, Jason Richardson, Jad Edlebi
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Community Reinvestment Coalition
view details