Livable Communities in Appalachia
Across the Appalachian region, small towns and rural communities want to revitalize their traditional downtowns to boost the local economy and improve quality of life.
To support these efforts, EPA partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a regional economic development agency, to provide information about smart growth approaches through the Livable Communities in Appalachia program. These approaches can help towns restore their downtowns and neighborhoods, making them healthy, walkable, and economically vibrant.
Through this program, EPA, USDA, and ARC partnered with Appalachian communities to provide technical support and implementation assistance to promote economic development, address development challenges, preserve rural lands, and increase access to locally grown food. The agencies and their contractors worked with each community to develop achievable plans for implementation.
There will be no further rounds of Livable Communities in Appalachia. Visit our Technical Assistance page to learn more about current planning programs.
On other pages:
- Smart Growth in Small Towns and Rural Communities: Additional information about how smart growth strategies can help rural places strengthen their economies, improve quality of life, and protect the environment and human health.
2014 Partner Communities
EPA, ARC, and USDA selected four Appalachian communities to receive technical support and implementation assistance.
- Forest City, North Carolina
- Huntington, West Virginia
- New Albany, Mississippi
- North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
2013 Partner Communities
EPA and ARC, joined by USDA, selected four Appalachian communities to receive technical support and implementation assistance.
- Aberdeen, Mississippi
- Anniston, Alabama
- Corbin, Kentucky
- Pikeville, Tennessee
2012 Partner Communities
EPA and ARC provided technical assistance to seven Appalachian communities.
- Brownsville, Pennsylvania
- Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- Independence, Virginia
- Salamanca, New York
- Spruce Pine, North Carolina
- Uhrichsville, Ohio
- Williamson, West Virginia