Many rural communities have faced major challenges, including natural disasters (e.g., tornado, hurricane, flood), economic calamity (e.g., the sudden departure of the major local employer), or many years of high poverty. Over the years, effective approaches to the design and implementation of long-term development strategies have been developed. Some of the material below is focused specifically on disaster recovery and development, while other is intended for any community facing any major challenge.
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Community Toolbox Resource Links – The Toolbox section of the USDA Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Communities website includes links to sustainable community and economic development publications, organizations, funding, etc. | ||||||||||
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Community Development Resources – Includes publications, “Technotes” and other useful sites for general community and economic development compiled by the USDA Community Development Programs.
| The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned--The White House has published its 228 page report on Katrina.
| Long-Term Community Recovery Process: A Self-help Guide--The FEMA Long-Term Community Recovery Self-Help Guide is intended to provide state, tribal and local governments with a framework for implementing their own long-term community recovery planning process after a significant disaster event.
| Resources following Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters – Includes a variety of resources useful to disaster-impacted communities developed and/or compiled by the Southern Rural Development Center, based at Mississippi State University.
| Resource Conservation and Development – Local RC&D Councils assist communities by providing tools and technical support to protect and develop their economic, natural and social resources in ways that improve their area’s economy, environment, and quality of life. Contacts for local Councils in Louisiana and Mississippi.
| USDA Rural Development Katrina Contacts - Provides Katrina-specific information from USDA Rural Development programs and services useful to rural communities, individuals and businesses. |