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Image of a small town where residents are implementing community planning and development ideas.

Economy, Policy, Pursuit of Happiness

November Preview: Putting the Plan to Work

30 October 2026 No Comments
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Cover image for Better Ways to Measure Success

Policy

Better Ways to Measure Success

27 October 2026 No Comments
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A small rural airport terminal at dusk, with a regional jet parked on the apron and farmland beyond the runway.

Economy, Policy

The Airport at the Edge of Town

25 October 2026 No Comments
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Historic red brick commercial Main Street with mix of building being rehabilitated and restored, typical of a successful Opportunity Zone.

Economy, Policy

OZs On the Map. Now What?

20 October 2026 No Comments
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Illustration of OZ 1.0 program investments

Economy, Policy

Opportunity Zones 1.0: What OZs Have Done to Date

19 October 2026 No Comments
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A long freight train passes a grain elevator and an old brick depot in a small Midwestern town. Rail and the comprehensive plan

Economy, Policy

The Town the Railroad Built: Rail and the Rural Comprehensive Plan

18 October 2026 No Comments
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Image of a rural opportunity zone development project - typical red brick Main Street

Economy, Policy

Opportunity Zones in the Headlines

13 October 2026 No Comments
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Children with backpacks walk along a tree-lined sidewalk toward a small-town school. Auto dependence or car dependency.

Policy

Beyond the Car: Access and Getting Around a Small Town Without One

11 October 2026 1 Comment
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Farm Light - not Dark Sky compliant

Policy, Pursuit of Happiness

The Stars Over Pagosa:  What a Mountain Town Can Teach Us About Dark Sky Lighting

6 October 2026 No Comments
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Rural Energy 2026 Cover Image

Economy, Policy

The Rural Energy Revolution 2026: Data Centers, Demand, and the Question of Who Pays

5 October 2026 No Comments
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Stuff

Welcome to a window into my world

1 January 2009 No Comments

It’s the Roots we share that make the difference.

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17 May 2026
Walkable rural small town surrounded by farmland, with a compact downtown, farmers market, and mixed-use buildings supporting community-centered growth. Smart growth in rural communities.

Smart Growth in Rural Communities: Planning That Works

25 January 2011

Wind Energy Looking Up For 2011

1 January 2016

2015 In Review

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Charles L. Marohn, Jr - Book 2 of the Strong Towns series

Book of the Month

Confessions of A Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town by Charles Marohn (Wiley, 2021)

Chuck Marohn delivers a vision for more accessible and engaging local transportation systems in his second book in the Strong Towns series. He delivers withering critiques of his chosen profession, yet also offers real-world examples of communities doing better for all residents.

2026: Bring Your Plans to Life2026: Bring Your Plans to Life
Redbrick Main Street in the AutumnPraxis and Implementation
Renewable Energy
The power of heritage - A golden-hour view of a rural American main street with historic brick buildings and a sense of community life.Heritage Tourism
Photorealistic view of a small town main street at sunset, historic storefronts bustling with people, symbolizing small town innovation and rural resilienceEconomic Resilience
A symbolic collage of rural planning trends showing main street improvements, community engagement, green infrastructure, and planning tools.Policy Exchange
Photorealistic aerial image of a diverse rural landscape with forest, farmland, wetlands, and a small town—symbolizing rural rewilding and community connection.Conservation and the Great Outdoors
Rural Cultural Preservation - Panoramic view of a rural American town at sunset, showcasing historic barns, farmland, a church steeple, and a community gathering in the town squareRural Cultural Preservation
A rural courthouse at sunrise, symbolizing institutional strength and hope for good governance in small-town America.Good Governance and Trust in Rural America
A scenic rural landscape with rolling farmland, solar panels, and a small-town community in the distance. The golden sunlight highlights sustainable agriculture practices, including wind turbines, a no-till field, and a local farmer’s market.Sustainable Agriculture That Works: Boosting Rural Growth And Resilience
Rural planning 2025, Rural resilience, Sustainable rural development, Small town success, Strategies for rural community resilience, Sustainable growth in rural areas, Monthly themes for rural development, Cultural preservation in small towns, Economic resilience for rural communities, Rural governance, Heritage tourism, Local economies, Community sustainability, Small business support2025: A Year of Rural Resilience and Growth
rural resicilience, small-town preparedness, disaster readiness, government support for rural areas, resilience planningRural Resilience: How Small Towns Triumph Over the Unexpected
Seasonal arts and culture ideas. Bustling arts district with galleries, cafes, and local craft shops, demonstrating arts and culture's impact on local economies.Seasonal Arts and Culture Ideas to Instantly Energize Local Economies
Sherman's March to the SeaDiary of Pvt Orrin Brown (1864-1865)

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