Grant opportunity for interested port districts to develop recreation strategies

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting applications for the next round of Recreation Economy for Rural Communities planning assistance grants. The deadline to apply is November 22, 2021.  Click here to apply.

With Recreation Economy for Rural Communities assistance, a planning team will help communities bring together local residents and other stakeholders to select strategies and develop an action plan to grow the local outdoor recreation economy. The planning assistance process will take place over four to six months, with a focal point being a facilitated community workshop. At the workshop, participants will work together to identify a vision, goals, and specific actions to realize the locally set goals.

Partner communities have implemented plans:

• Ensuring local residents, including young people, have connections and opportunities related to nearby outdoor assets to foster community pride, good stewardship, and local economic benefits.

• Developing or expanding trail networks to attract overnight visitors and new businesses and foster use by local residents.

• Developing in-town amenities, such as broadband service; electric vehicle charging; housing; or shops, restaurants, or breweries, to serve residents and attract new visitors and residents with an interest in nearby outdoor assets.

• Marketing Main Street as a gateway to nearby natural lands to capture and amplify outdoor recreation dollars.

• Developing a community consensus on the management of outdoor assets to reduce potential conflicts and ensure sustainable use of resources.

• Ensuring that all residents and visitors, particularly those who have not historically been engaged in outdoor recreation and Main Street revitalization efforts, have equitable access to and can benefit from the growing outdoor recreation economy.

Communities in the Pacific Northwest that have received funding include John Day, OR and Thompson Falls, MT.