Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Americana
This article launches our November series: From Ideas to Action—A Month of Praxis and Implementation in Rural Communities. Over the next five weeks, we’ll explore how small towns drive rural progress by combining local knowledge with practical implementation strategies. We’re starting with the basics: What is praxis in rural planning, and why does it matter? […]
November: A Month of Praxis & Implementation in Rural Communities What if rural change doesn’t mean waiting— but building? This November, we’re digging deep into the real force behind rural progress: the partnership of praxis and implementation. This isn’t about jargon or top-down plans. It’s not about importing urban models or chasing buzzwords. It’s about […]
The rural energy landscape is entering a new era—fueled by data, defined by decarbonization, and embedded in a fast-changing energy economy. For small towns and rural communities, the stakes are high. But so is the potential for resilience and prosperity. This October, JCShepard.com explores how the rapidly evolving energy economy is reshaping the future of […]
Over the past month, we’ve explored what makes rural economies resilient. From the diverse economic base beyond agriculture, to the importance of retaining and expanding local businesses, to the rise of entrepreneurship and micro-enterprises, and most recently, to the role of innovation and community-driven development—each article has shown that resilience is never the result of […]
While entrepreneurs bring the ideas and drive, planners and policymakers create the conditions that help those ventures thrive.
When people picture small town and rural America, agriculture is often the first—and sometimes only—industry that comes to mind. But the truth is far richer and more complex. From manufacturing and mining to tourism and public service, rural economies and economic development across the United States are powered by a wide array of industries that […]
Planning Practice at a Crossroads—Tradition, Technology, and the Natural World Rural communities are at a pivotal moment. Faced with shifting demographics, economic restructuring, and intensifying climate pressures, the planning profession is evolving rapidly. And with that evolution comes a wealth of opportunity—for rural areas to not only adapt but to lead with creativity, resilience, and […]
The Strategic Power of Shared Policy in Rural Development In today’s complex and rapidly shifting rural landscape, communities face both persistent challenges and emerging opportunities—from population shifts and workforce shortages to broadband expansion and climate resilience. Amid these dynamics, rural leaders are increasingly recognizing that they don’t have to navigate this terrain alone. Policy exchange […]
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”
Jane Jacobs
