Reimagining Rural policy: Organizing Federal Assistance to Maximize Rural Prosperity

Anthony Pipa and Natalie Geismar argue that outdated, fragmented federal rural programs hinder equitable development and call for a bold national rural strategy, new financing tools, and stronger coordination across agencies. Their framework stresses local vision, regional collaboration, and accountability to ensure federal investments actually reach rural communities. This aligns with Aspen CSG because we champion rural systems change rooted in equity and community-led solutions, and believe that federal reforms must empower local leaders to build lasting, place-based prosperity.

Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group