Seven counties selected for EPA’s Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program

Key Takeaways

On September 30, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Northern Border Regional Commission, announced the selection of 25 rural communities to join the 2025 cohort of the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) program.  

Seven counties are included in this year’s cohort. RERC provides multi-year planning assistance to help rural communities strengthen outdoor recreation assets, revitalize downtowns and boost local economies while supporting environmental stewardship and promoting public health.

How the RERC Program supports rural communities

Through RERC, participating communities receive tailored technical assistance to undertake activities like:

• Building and connect trail systems
• Revitalizing main streets and link them to nearby recreation amenities
• Expanding access to outdoor activities for residents and visitors
• Strengthening local recreation-based businesses
• Repurposing vacant properties and buildings for community use
• Creating new parks and recreation facilities
• Planning for long-term resilience to natural disasters and economic shifts

2025 RERC county participants

• Belmont County, Ohio: The Community Improvement Corporation of Belmont County and local partners will focus on helping small businesses tap into the outdoor recreation economy, revitalizing main streets and improving sidewalk and trail connectivity. The project also emphasizes engaging young residents and drawing more visitors to enjoy the county’s trails, rivers and downtown amenities.
• Clearwater County, Idaho: Clearwater County Economic Development and partners will work toward a countywide approach to recreation-based tourism that highlights the area’s forests, rivers and trail systems. The plan will also tackle environmental challenges like flooding and wildfire, which directly affect the resilience of the county’s economy.
• Floyd County, Kentucky: Local leaders in Floyd County are working to expand and connect trails, rivers, parks and former coal lands to serve both residents and visitors. This initiative will help the county recover from recent flooding, navigate its economic transition and set the stage for long-term, place-based development.
• Hamilton County, New York: In the heart of the Adirondacks, Hamilton County aims to strengthen trail connections between communities, revitalize main streets and broaden amenities for residents and visitors alike. The project also addresses concerns about overuse of recreation assets and declining snowfall, planning for sustainability and stewardship of the region’s natural resources.
• Noxubee County, Mississippi: Communities Unlimited and local partners in Noxubee County will create a countywide plan that connects outdoor recreation with local history, culture, main street revitalization and economic development. A central focus will be addressing the environmental impacts of natural disasters through land stewardship and resilience.
• Park County, Wyoming: The Powell Economic Partnership and community stakeholders will develop a cohesive outdoor recreation strategy that expands safe, accessible opportunities for residents, boosts sustainable tourism and creates recreation-related jobs. The plan will also identify strategies to manage overuse of natural assets and promote stewardship.
• Pendleton County, West Virginia: Pendleton County’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and local partners will focus on revitalizing main streets, supporting local entrepreneurs and empowering residents to shape the county’s future. The project also incorporates solutions to environmental challenges such as drought, flooding and wildfire, which pose growing risks to the community.

NACo congratulates the seven counties selected for this year’s RERC cohort. Although applications are not yet open for the next cohort, rural counties are eligible and encouraged to apply to the program for future planning assistance.  

As rural leaders continue to harness the power of outdoor recreation, NACo will continue to highlight how rural counties can leverage programs like RERC to build stronger economies and healthier, more vibrant communities.