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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:red">FYI – this info is being distributed over the OMS listserv. All responses will be over the listserv.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Recreation Economy for Rural Communities: </b>EPA is now providing technical assistance to rural communities focused on growing the recreation economy. It’s a pilot program, based on successful similar programs delivered by EPA over
the last few years. The EPA will select 8-10 communities to receive technical assistance that will help small towns capitalize on natural assets. The EPA is particularly interested in applications from communities where working conserved forests are important
recreation and tourism resources. Applicants can find materials <a href="https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/recreation-economy-rural-communities">
<span style="color:#0563C1">here.</span></a> Additionally, community representatives interested in applying for planning assistance can join a webinar presentation and Q&A on Tuesday, May 7, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST. To register for the webinar, click
<a href="https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/ec93eh7zih6m/event/event_info.html">
<span style="color:#0563C1">here.</span></a> The deadline to apply is May 31st.<b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">___________________________________<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Background<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Outdoor activities are increasingly popular across the United States. Communities can take advantage of this trend to revitalize Main Streets. By conserving forests and other natural
lands and making them available for outdoor recreation, small towns can boost air quality and water quality and focus development downtown. Promoting outdoor recreation can also create jobs and offer new opportunities for people to connect with the natural
world. For more information on the outdoor economy, read the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2016 report
<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/53247"><span style="color:blue">Federal Outdoor Recreation Trends: Effects on Economic Opportunities</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">With
<a href="https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/recreation-economy-rural-communities"><span style="color:blue">Recreation Economy for Rural Communities</span></a> assistance, a planning team will help communities bring together local residents and other stakeholders
to decide on strategies and an action plan to grow the local outdoor recreation economy. The planning assistance process will take place over a period of four to six months, with a focal point being a two-day, facilitated community workshop. Participants will
work together to identify a vision, goals, and specific actions to realize the locally set goals.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Partner communities are encouraged to pursue activities that foster environmentally friendly community development and Main Street revitalization through the conservation and sustainable
use of public or private forests or other natural resources. Examples could include:<o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
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.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
Developing or expanding trail networks to attract overnight visitors and new businesses and foster use by local residents.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
Developing in-town amenities, such as broadband service; housing; or shops, restaurants, or breweries, to serve residents and attract new visitors and residents with an interest in nearby outdoor assets.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
Marketing Main Street as a gateway to nearby natural lands to capture and amplify outdoor recreation dollars.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
Developing a community consensus on the management of outdoor assets to reduce potential conflicts and ensure sustainable use of resources.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="eligibility"></a><b>Eligibility and Special Considerations<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Eligible applicants include local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit institutions and organizations representing any community in the United States. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Special consideration will be given to communities that are:<o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
Small towns,<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
Economically disadvantaged, such as those in Opportunity Zones, and/or<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
In the Northern Border region of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York (see the
<a href="http://www.nbrc.gov/"><span style="color:blue">Northern Border Regional Commission's website</span></a> for a list of counties in this region).<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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