1407 - Rural Placemaking Conference

Attachment B – Approved Work Plan Narrative Title: “Rural Placemaking Capacity Building and Networking Event” Project Director: Alison Davis, PhD Executive Director Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) H.B. Price Professor of Agricultural Economics University of Kentucky Objective: This initiative will provide a forum for networking and capacity building in support of rural placemaking, enhancing the pipeline of potential Rural Development (RD) program participants, and fostering strong, vibrant, and healthy rural communities across the country. This initiative will also provide continued development and maintenance of the Rural America Placemaking Toolkit. Justification of Public Need: This project addresses rural communities'' needs for information, technical assistance, and resources to support placemaking activities, building their capacity for economic development and sustainability. Many rural areas need to identify assets, build capacity, and plan for economic progress before applying for RD funding. Communities already engaged in placemaking require financial and technical assistance to implement their plans. This effort will better prepare Rural Partners Network (RPN) and vulnerable communities to maximize their capacity for RD and other public and private programs. Additionally, placemaking resource providers will gain a better understanding of the rural context, enhancing their support for these communities. Approach: The project will collaborate with CEDIK to create the 3rd Annual Placemaking in Small & Rural Communities Conference. The conference will bring together rural communities, placemaking experts, technical assistance practitioners, and resource providers from both the public and private sectors. The conference will highlight success stories, best practices, and provide networking and matchmaking opportunities to connect communities with practitioners. RD Innovation Center staff will work closely with the cooperator on tasks to accomplish the goals of the project, as described on the following page. Key Personnel (Recipient): • Melissa Bond • Jessica Evans Key Personnel (Rural Development): • Chris Stever, Regional Development & Assistance Branch Chief • Marie Pittman, Partnerships Liaison Specialist