Rural communities throughout Illinois are at a crossroads of challenge and opportunity. As cities and towns redefine their role in a rapidly changing economy, having a shared vision of the future is vital.

The MAPPING THE FUTURE programs (Management and Planning Programs Involving Nonmetropolitan Groups) are based on a strategic visioning and planning process designed to help local residents of rural communities create a long-range vision for their community and a plan of action for achieving it. MAPPING projects:

The MAPPING methodology was originally developed in order to bring a holistic integrated planning and decision-making process to rural communities. As such, the IIRA has developed three inter-related programs for rural community and economic development that utilize this unique methodology:

• MAPPING THE FUTURE OF YOUR COMMUNITY is the flagship program, created in 1991 to bring together the diverse segments of a community on behalf of their overall community and economic development. Community MAPPING programs have been conducted in over 90 communities in rural Illinois.
  
  
• MAPPING THE FUTURE OF YOUR COMMUNITY'S SCHOOLS was created in 1993 to bring community, economic, and school issues closer together, and has, over the years served as an excellent next step after a community-wide visioning and planning effort. Parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, and other local citizens are assisted to identify needs and workable goals to help their school district prepare for future demands.
  
  
• MAPPING THE FUTURE OF YOUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH offers opportunities for rural residents, community leaders, and health care providers to effectively work together to improve the overall health of their communities. IIRA has broadened the definition of community health to include access and availability of health care services, health education & prevention, and environmental health.