Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Recreation Economy for Rural Communities
The opportunity to apply for assistance through the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program closed on October 16, 2024.
On this page, you can find information about the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program.
About the Program
1. How do I apply for assistance?
2. Does the RERC program provide a grant to participating communities?
3. What is the anticipated start date of assistance, if received? How long will the planning assistance last?
4. Is there a cost to the communities selected for the planning assistance?
5. Who provides the planning assistance?
6. How many communities are typically selected in each round?
7. Are there any tools or resources related to the program?
Applicant Eligibility
8. Who can apply for RERC assistance?
9. Are there any geographic regions or other factors that are prioritized during the selection process?
10. Can an organization apply for more than one neighborhood or town in their region as long as they submit separate applications?
About the Program
1. How do I apply for assistance?
The Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program is not currently accepting applications. The opportunity to apply for the current round of the program closed on October 16, 2024.
2. Does the RERC program provide a grant to participating communities?
No. The Recreation Economy for Rural Communities is not a grant program, and communities selected to receive assistance through this program will not receive funds from EPA. The program provides planning assistance to help communities develop a vision for community revitalization through the recreation economy. Communities receive targeted facilitation from subject matter experts; connection with local, regional, state and federal partners; and the convening of an in-person workshop to bring together residents and other stakeholders to develop an action plan.
We encourage participation from federal and state agencies and other potential partners in the planning assistance process so that communities can learn about how they might secure additional resources to help them accomplish their vision, but those funds are not guaranteed. The assistance is strictly for planning and cannot be used for brick and mortar projects.
3. What is the anticipated start date of assistance, if received? How long will the planning assistance last?
Community workshops will likely occur in 2025. The timing will depend on the community’s preference, in consultation with the planning assistance team.
Planning calls generally begin 3 to 4 months before the community workshop, and follow-up calls generally are completed 3 to 4 months after the workshop. The planning assistance team typically works with each selected community for around 8 to 12 months for the entire project.
4. Is there a cost to the communities selected for the planning assistance?
Most communities incur little to no cost aside from staff and volunteer time devoted to planning and participating in the workshop. The program does not provide any funds directly to communities. The community is responsible for securing a venue for the workshop, although most communities are able to identify a no-cost venue. In addition, the planning assistance award does not include funds for refreshments at the workshop; any refreshments are provided at the community’s discretion and cost.
5. Who provides the planning assistance?
The planning assistance team will be selected by EPA and will include federal staff and contractors hired by EPA through a competitive solicitation.
6. How many communities are typically selected in each round?
We expect that approximately 20 to 25 partner communities will be selected in 2025, though this number may vary depending on funding availability.
Previously, 25 partner communities were selected in 2022, and 10 partner communities were selected in 2020.
7. Are there any tools or resources related to this program?
EPA is developing a Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Toolkit to help communities interested in undertaking similar planning processes develop their own plans for setting and achieving outdoor recreation and revitalization goals. Sign up for our newsletter to get updates on when this resource is launched.
To find more of our resources for rural places and learn how revitalization can help towns strengthen their economies, improve quality of life and protect the environment and human health, see our Smart Growth in Small Towns and Rural Communities page.
Applicant Eligibility
8. Who can apply for RERC assistance?
Eligible applicants are local governments, Tribes, nonprofit organizations or institutions representing any community in the United States. Local colleges, universities and extension agencies can also serve as the lead organization for the assistance; however, in the application, it will be important to show how you'll be able to bring together community stakeholders, including residents, to a public workshop.
Communities of any size are eligible. Applicants must be located in, and project activities must be focused within, the United States, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands or American Samoa.
Regional organizations, including councils of governments, are eligible to apply. In cases where an application covers a larger region, the application should identify a strong local partner and should explain the place-based focus of the project (how it will benefit a neighborhood, Main Street/downtown, community). Multi-county or state-level projects are not eligible for this assistance.
9. Are there any geographic regions or other factors that are prioritized during the selection process?
Communities located anywhere in the United States are eligible for this planning assistance.
The following communities will receive special consideration during the selection process:
- Small towns and rural communities
- Economically disadvantaged communities
- Tribal and Alaskan Native Village communities
- Communities located in the Northern Border region of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York (visit the Northern Border Regional Commission's website for a list of counties in this region)
- Communities located in the Appalachian region (visit the Appalachian Regional Commission’s website for a list of counties in this region)
- Communities in the Denali region representing rural Alaska (visit the Denali Commission’s website for a list of communities in this region).
10. Can an organization apply for more than one neighborhood or town in their region as long as they submit separate applications?
Yes, applicants can submit multiple, separate applications for consideration. However, no more than one application from a single neighborhood or town will be selected for assistance.