Brookings Institution’s analysis of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) highlights that while many regional coalitions included rural areas on paper, real benefits only reached communities when rural leaders were directly involved in governance and strategy. The report stresses that programs must move beyond counting rural regions to ensuring authentic participation, stronger rural set-asides, and transparent outcome tracking. This aligns closely with Aspen CSG’s focus on equity and belonging: durable rural prosperity requires centering local leadership, building trust, and strengthening civic infrastructure so rural communities are not just included but empowered.
Regional Clusters and Rural Development
