Policy & Data
COUNTY GOVERNANCE PROJECT
National Association of Counties
Use this database to compare information across all 48 states with county governments. Select one of the four categories at the top, then dig into specific datasets, maps and charts within each category. In any data table, use the search bar at the top to isolate similar states based on specific data points or click on an indicator name to sort the data.
FEDERAL DATA ON RURAL CLEARINGHOUSE
USDA Economic Research Service
This listing provides a summary of the major Federal sources of statistical data used to analyze rural areas. The data sources are categorized by their content, time period, as well as their geographic coverage.
RURAL HEALTH POLICY
Rural Health Information Hub
Tools and resources on rural health policy from the Rural Health Information Hub.
Reimagining Rural Policy
Brookings Institution
Federal assistance for rural development is outdated, fragmented, and confusing. Brookings researchers provide recommendations to maximize the return on federal investment.
REINVENTING RURAL POLICY
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
This Policy Brief looks at the experience and insights coming from numerous initiatives that are being implemented across OECD countries and offer possible solutions to these policy challenges.
REINVENTING RURAL POLICY
Regional, rural and urban development
This Policy Brief looks at the experience and insights coming from numerous initiatives that are being implemented across OECD countries and offer possible solutions to these policy challenges.
REIMAGINING RURAL POLICY PODCAST
Rural Matters
In the first of a three-part series, Michelle talks with Tony Pipa of the Brookings Institution and Janet Topolsky of Aspen CSG about the opportunity to modernize and improve US policy to support equitable rural development.
Blue Ribbon Commission Report
Wisconsin Office of Rural Prosperity
The Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity taps local perspectives on long-term, recent and future economic challenges facing the people, communities and businesses that make rural Wisconsin shine—and to turn ideas into action that increases economic activity and improves the quality of life for future generations.
THE RURAL POLICY ACTION REPORT
Rural Democracy Initiative
The Rural Democracy Initiative identified top rural policy priorities for the year for federal and state-based policymakers and advocates. Each issue area includes policy priorities, example legislation, and the context for how these issues impact people in rural communities.
REIMAGINE APPALACHIA COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENTS RESOURCES
Reimagine Appalachia
Community Benefits Agreements (also known as CBAs or Community Benefit Plans) are legal agreements to get everyone – labor organizations, racial justice groups, environmental entities, faith communities and other local stakeholders – to work together and sign off to ensure the benefits of government dollars are optimized in our communities. This page collects resources on the topic that are useful for all communities.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY INDEX
Argonne National Laboratory
The Economic Development Capacity Index (EDCI), uses publicly available data to assess critical elements that contribute to a county’s overall economic development capacity.
IRA Pocket Guides
USDA Rural Development
A quick-reference tool to aid stakeholders in their search for funding opportunities.