DECREASING FLOOD RISK IN THE MIDWEST WITH REGIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Decreasing Flood Risk in the Midwest with Regional Collaborations (Headwaters Economics & Georgetown Climate Center, 2025) highlights how rural and regional partnerships can pool resources, expertise, and authority to tackle the growing challenge of flood resilience. Through five case studies—from Iowa’s farmer-led watershed management to Arkansas’ pioneering green bond for watershed protection—the report shows how collaboration across jurisdictions and sectors builds momentum and unlocks access to federal funding. Its recommendations emphasize coalition-building, trusted conveners, and scaling from small wins to large systems change. These insights mirror Aspen CSG’s commitment to community-driven, cross-sector solutions where locally rooted leadership and collaboration are essential to achieving durable resilience and equity in rural places.

Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group
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Building Capacity in Rural & Indigenous Communities

Insights and learnings from rural practitioners on how organizational capacity and technical assistance can be carefully and intentionally strengthened to grow economies, health, and livelihoods for each and every person in their regions.

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Volunteer places a 'Vote Here' sign outside a rural community center before polls open.
A Reminder To Reporters: If You’ve Seen One Rural Place … You’ve Seen One Rural Place

By shaping accurate narratives, we can drive fair and just investments and policies that honor the people and places at the heart of rural and Indigenous communities.

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Measuring Community Capacity Building Workbook

This is a workbook focuses on improving the ability of individuals, organizations, businesses, and government in their community to come together, learn, make well-reasoned decisions about the community’s present and future, and work together to carry out those decisions.

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Ten Books for Rethinking Rural and Indigenous Development

Stories shape how we understand people and places. This list highlights narratives and research on the systemic forces affecting rural and Indigenous communities.

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How Rural Development Hubs Can Strengthen Rural Health Transformation Program Implementation

Rural Development Hub leaders say new funding like RHTP works best when regions interpret it against existing priorities, coordinate it through existing partnerships, and adapt it to local context — rather than treating it as a distinct program.

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Ten Podcasts Focused on Rural Community and Economic Development

Check out our roundup of podcasts highlighting important issues about and to rural communities and Native nations.