According to 3BL Media, the National Community Investment Fund (NCIF) recently partnered with three additional Community Development Entities (CDEs) to provide $20 million of New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) funding to support business expansion into rural and underserved Oregon.

Colorado is investing in a $50 million plan to find affordable housing for artists in rural communities. According to the Coloradoan, housing and economic development are vital needs in rural Colorado, and this initiative advances both of these issues by harnessing the power of public-private partnerships to elevate rural economies.

The first round of investments in projects through the U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund have been announced. Through the Fund and its public-private partnerships, USDA has facilitated the investment of nearly $161 million in private capital rural projects.

Downtown revitalization strengthens the social, physical, and economic value of a community's commercial center. This manual from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania is designed to help small town revitalization efforts by addressing a variety of low-cost tools and strategies that may help them welcome their downtowns back to a more vibrant existence.

The USDA announced $349 million in funding for 15 rural electric infrastructure projects. The funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Electric Program, which makes insured loans and loan guarantees to non-profit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities.

A case study from Fort Kent, ME describes using TIF in rural communities. This resource explains tax increment financing including its traditional uses, downtown revitalization, its implications for local tax burden, and regional funding effort.

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This resource explains case studies that explore three transporation-led economic development projects in Vermont, Alabama, and Oregon. These case studies provide examples of ways in which Regional Development Organizations are uniquely positioned to carry out regional transportation projects that improve access to jobs and opportunities and spur regional economic growth.

Many nonprofit housing developers have begun to form their own community lending institutions. This study provides case study analyses of four different rural revolving loan funds in different rural contexts.

This this report details activities of the Council regarding the Economic Development Set-Aside Fund, the Governor's Closing Fund and the Rural Infrastructure Fund. These funds are managed by the South Carolina Department of Commerce's Grants, Administration Division.

This report explains this importance, research, and impact of manufacturing in rural North Carolina communities. Manufacturing is important for several reasons by providing good jobs, creating wealth, and creating industry partnership clusters.

This article provides various guiding principles to small cities for developing rural downtowns. Principles covered include developing a vision and plan for the downtown, identifying and building upon local assets, building a strong public-private partnership, enhancing the downtown's sense of place, and determining the downtown market.

This presentation by the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority explains the growing gap between infrastructure needs and investment, economic development need, the RIA's objectives and successes, program eligibility.

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