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“Sustainable communities” has as much meaning for rural and tribal communities as it does in urban and suburban areas. Come learn what this term and livability principles mean in a nonmetro context. Learn from HUD, USDA, and rural/tribal communities that have planned and implemented effective strategies. Key topics include economic opportunity, transportation, housing, communications, public engagement, and broadband.
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New River Valley Livability Initiative
Lessons Learned
Virginia’s New River Valley:• mostly rural and small
university towns• Decline in manufacturing
jobs in rural counties• Sustainable Communities
Grantee, 2011• 3 year regional planning
process – 9 topic areas
• Protect the rural character and scenic beauty of our region.
• Increase regional self-reliance and prosperity.
• Maintain family-friendly communities.
• Reduce household costs.
• Provide more job opportunities.
• Build healthy communities.
• Help residents age in place.
• Enhance agriculture viability.
• Provide more transportation choices.
• Promote equitable, affordable housing.
• Enhance economic competitiveness.
• Support existing communities.
• Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment.
• Value communities and neighborhoods.
Lesson 1: Understand Local Values RURAL LIVABILITY PRINCIPLES
CITIZEN OUTREACH
• Kick-off Summit
• On-line and paper surveys
• Spanish language survey
• Lower literacy paper survey
• Small focus group and community meetings
• Interactive performance
• Digital storytelling
• BUILT planning game
Nearly 1,200 New River Valley citizen perspectives
Goals core values and prioritieskey tensions and tradeoffs
obstacles, challengespotential action strategies
Comparing• rural and in-town perspectives within
localities• differences/similarities between
localities• perspectives from regional bodies
A Different Community Conversation: BUILT NRV
Lesson 2: Expand Your Circle
160 participants involved in monthly working group meetings.
Participants included:– 10 State agencies– 12 Regional organizations– 29 Non-profit and community based
organizations– 17 Private sector partners or utilities– 21 Departments from 3 Higher-
Education Institutions– 15 citizens (no particular affiliation)– All member localities
WORKING GROUP INVOLVEMENT
Lesson 3:Step out of the Housing Silo
Opportunity
Rising energy costs & aging housing stock impacts household budgets – both for discretionary and necessary items.
12.9%
18.7%
28.0%
40.4%
70+ Years Old 50-69 Years Old30-49 Years Old <30 Years Old
Age of Housing Stock
KEY TREND: HOUSING COSTS
Localities with increased number of commuters can lead to higher household costs.
KEY TREND: COMMUTING PATTERNS
Floyd
Giles
Pulaski
Radford
Mont. (ex towns)
Blacksburg
Christiansburg
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
More than $35,000 per yearLess than $35,000 per year
% Workers Driving > 25 miles to Work by Income
Floyd Giles Montgomery Pulaski Radford$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
Less than high school graduate High school graduate (includes equivalency) Some college or associate's degree Bachelor's degree Graduate or professional degree
Median Household Income
Education attainment impacts job opportunity and earning potential.
KEY TREND: JOBS & EDUCATION
KEY TREND: AGING POPULATION
Enhancing Living & Working Environments
• Reduce energy costs
• Affordable housing options
• Housing choice
• Enhance transportation options
• Successfully age in place/ community
Making the Business Environment more Productive & Efficient
• Diversify economic base.
• Improve the region’s telecommunication and infrastructure network.
• Create multimodal transportation access.
• Increase education opportunities/entrepreneur support services.
• Strengthen agriculture viability.
Preserving Rural Heritage & Community Character
• Protect scenic beauty/ view sheds.
• Enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.
• Recognize importance of the arts, culture, and history which defines community character and pride.
• Strengthen the economic and cultural position of downtowns.
• Integrate existing community character into the design of community core improvements.
Building Healthy Communities
• Monitor and improve the environmental quality to promote the health of its residents.
• Promote proactive choices about food, fitness, family, work, and play.
• Foster collaboration across health care providers and networks.
• Improve healthy transportation, housing, and recreation options and access for residents.
• Prevent and reduce the burden of chronic conditions and disease.
Impact• HOME & Habitat for Humanity
• Community Foundation
• Virginia Community Capital
• Health District and the Built Environment
• Economic Developers and Quality of Life
IMPACT
