In Fall 2022, The RPCGB was awarded a $250,000 cooperative agreement award through the USDA’s “Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge” program. This project will be used to conduct Economic Development Strategic Plans (EDSPs) for three communities - Dora, Nauvoo, and Parrish - in Walker County. These plans will evaluate current market conditions, assets, and gaps, conduct community engagement, and develop a specialized action plan for each municipality reflective other their unique strengths and opportunities.

These plans will also tie in with the county’s outdoor recreation initiative, and a specific focus for these plans will be evaluating methods to leverage existing assets to establish an outdoor recreation industry and improve broadband connectivity within these areas. To learn more, visit the USDA’s website or contact Jesslan Wilson, Director of Economic Development, at jwilson@rpcgb.org.