An official website of the United States government.

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Downtown Revitalization

Many rural communities are engaged in revitalization efforts to renew downtown areas and restore them to their former prominence as a center of community activity.

On this page, find information, funding sources, and more to assist a community considering a downtown revitalization project.

Information for Rural Communities

Planning Tools, Case Studies, Funding Sources, Contacts, Revitalization Strategies, and more
Regional Rural Development Centers

Regional Rural Development Centers, established by the Rural Development Act of 1972 [congress.gov], link public universities with stakeholders in rural communities to help address a wide range of development issues.

Community Planning Resources
Articles about Downtown Revitalization
Journals of Interest
Organizations
  • American Planning Association [planning.org]. 

    Chicago, IL. A non-profit, public interest group that focuses on research, policy, education and information dissemination for practicing planners, officials, and citizens involved with urban and rural planning issues. Also has the Small Towns and Rural Planning Division with specific small town focus.
  • International City/County Management Association [icma.org]. 
    Washington. The professional and educational organization representing appointed managers and administrators in local governments. Services include: annual conference; publications; research; and special focused initiatives that include Brownfields, sustainable communities, Intelligent transportation systems, performance measurement, military base reuse smart growth and best practices symposium are just some of the many programs.
  • International Downtown Association [downtown.org]. 
    Washington, DC. Dedicated to the revitalization of downtown areas and their adjacent neighborhoods. Focuses its programs on effective management of downtowns, including retailing, security, maintenance, physical design, business development, transportation, culture and entertainment.
  • National Association of Towns and Townships [natat.org].
    Washington, DC. Provides technical assistance, educational services, and public policy support to local government officials of small communities across the country. Conducts research and develops public policy recommendations to help improve the quality of life in small communities.
  • Main Street America [mainstreet.org].
    Washington, DC. Assists states, communities and citizens in the revitalization of business districts within a preservation context. Provides information and consultation on downtown revitalization, through technical assistance, the National Main Street Network, conferences, products and Main Street Certification Institute.

Funding Sources for Economic Development Efforts

Federal and other programs and technical assistance

For additional sources consult A Guide to Funding Resources [nal.usda.gov].

Appalachian Regional Commission
US Department of Agriculture
US Department of Commerce
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
US Department of the Interior
US Department of Transportation
US Environmental Protection Agency
Non-federal Funding Resources

Page Content Curated By