Links
This is a list of some rural resources on the Internet. While this not an exhaustive list, the links provided here lead to pages that contain hundreds, possibly thousands of links. The links page has been broken down into the following categories:
Note: All links on this page will open into a new window.
IIRA Partners
DCEO--CCI
The Competitive Communities Initiative, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is designed to assist local communities in business and community development efforts. This is done through state assistance in helping communities conduct a rigorous self-assessment, resulting in written action plan that identifies the community's goals, priorities and the actions needed to attain these goals.
GRAC
The Governor's Rural Affairs Council was created in 1986 under the leadership of then Lt. Governor George Ryan. Its purpose is to improve the quality of life for residents of rural Illinois.
Specifically, the council is designed to:
- strengthen the rural economy
- improve rural education and human service opportunities
- support efforts of local government
- ensure non-urban residents receive their fair share of state services.
Ombudsman to Rural Illinois
As chair of the council, the lieutenant governor serves as ombudsman for rural Illinois. The lieutenant governor helps individuals, businesses and communities obtain information about and access to state services. The lieutenant governor also works with council members and non-member agencies to address rural concerns and to explore ways of strengthening rural communities.
An Emphasis on Regional Solutions
Through the council, the lieutenant governor coordinates state services, eliminating unnecessary duplication and targeting resources toward areas of greatest need. Because rural needs vary widely from county-to-county, the council emphasizes regional solutions rather than statewide actions. It focuses on grassroots activities and public-private partnerships as vital components of long-term rural development strategies.
Website: http://www.state.il.us/ltgov/grac/
UI-Extension
University of Illinois Extension provides practical, research-based information and programs to help individuals, families, farms, businesses and communities in Illinois. Its mission, in short, is to help the citizens of Illinois put knowledge to work.
Website: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/welcome.html
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is a state agency responsible for improving the competitiveness of Illinois in the global economy resulting in prosperous, growing industries, rising real incomes, and high quality jobs. DCEO works to provide information, assistance and advocacy to facilitate and advance the economic development process in partnership with Illinois communities, businesses and a network of public and private service providers.
Website: http://www.commerce.state.il.us/
NACo (National Association of Counties)
NACo, the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States, continues to follow the traditions established by early county officials. NACo is a full-service organization that provides an extensive line of services including legislative, research, and technical as well as public affairs assistance to its members. The association acts as a liaison with other levels of government, works to improve public understanding of counties, serves as a national advocate for counties and provides them with resources to help them find innovative methods to meet the challenges they face. NACo is involved in a number of special projects that deal with such issues as the environment, sustainable communities, volunteerism and intergenerational studies.
Website: http://www.naco.org/
NATaT (National Association of Towns and Townships)
The purpose of the National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) is to strengthen the effectiveness of town and township government. It does so by educating lawmakers and public policy officials about how small town governments operate and by advocating policies on their behalf in Washington, D.C.
Website: http://www.natat.org
Center for Rural Pennsylvania
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Center works with executive agencies and federal, regional and community organizations to maximize resources and strategies that can better serve the needs of Pennsylvania's 3.7 million rural residents. The Center promotes and sustains the vitality of Pennsylvania's rural and small communities by:
- awarding grants for applied research and model projects
- maintaining and disseminating information on rural trends and conditions
- publishing research and project results
- sponsoring local, state and national forums on rural issues
Website: http://www.ruralpa.org/
Office of Lt. Governor
IDOT
DHS
Iowa State University
USDA-Rural Development
Development Centers
Laboratory for Community and Economic Development at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
The Laboratory for Community and Economic Development coordinates research and educational programs in community and economic development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Website: http://www.communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu/
The Heartland Center for Leadership Development
The Heartland Center for Leadership Development is an independent, nonprofit organization developing local leadership that responds to the challenges of the future. A major focus of the Heartland Center's activities is practical resources and public policies for rural community survival.
Website: http://www.heartlandcenter.info/
Regional Rural Development Centers
There are four regional rural development centers throughout the United States coordinating rural development research, education, and extension efforts to improve the lives of people living in nonmetropolitan areas.
- North Central Regional Center for Rural Development at Iowa State University
Website: http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/
- Southern Rural Development Centerat Mississippi State University
Website: http://srdc.msstate.edu/
- Western Rural Development Center at Oregon State University
Website: http://extension.usu.edu/WRDC/
- The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development at Pennsylvania State University
Website: http://www.nercrd.psu.edu/
Other Links
Rural Partners
Rural Partners is the state rural development council for Illinois and provides a forum for representatives of federal and state agencies to meet and discuss ongoing programs. Rural Partners operates through several committees that focus on major issues facing rural Illinois. In addition, it cosponsors an annual Rural Community and Economic Development conference with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and the Governor's Rural Affairs Council.
Website: http://www.ruralpartners.org/
National Association of Development Organizations
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) provides training, information and representation for regional development organizations in small metropolitan places and rural America. The association, a public interest group founded in 1967, is the largest and leading advocate for a regional approach to community, economic and rural development and provides a network for its members to share ideas and innovations.
Website: http://www.nado.org/
