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Rural Resources

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Resource: Texas CDFI Coalition Interest Form

The Texas CDFI coalition's mission is to engage and strengthen the Texas CDFI sector, and promote comprehensive community development that produces financially sustainable & equitable results.

SOURCE
Texas Association of Community Development Corporations
  • #Community Development
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Broadband Climate Risk Mitigation Tool

This web application is designed to help communities and organizations make informed decisions about broadband deployment while considering natural hazard risks.

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Center on Rural Innovation
  • #Broadband
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Hotel Occupancy Tax Toolkit

Texans for the Arts Foundation launched the Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax Toolkit, an online resource for arts, municipal, hotel, and tourism leaders sharing what you need to know about Texas’ Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax.

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Texans for the Arts Foundation
  • #Arts & Humanities
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PLACES: Local Data for Better Health

PLACES reports county, place, census tract, and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas data and uses small area estimation methods to obtain chronic disease measures for the entire United States.

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PLACES: Local Data for Better Health
  • #Health
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Report: Collaborative Best Practices in Advancing Educational and Workforce Outcomes

In late 2022, Ascendium launched an effort to better understand the landscape and best practices of funder collaboration in advancing educational and workforce outcomes for low-income rural populations.

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Ascendium
  • #Workforce & Economic Development
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A Library of Things in Pottsboro

This library in Pottsboro, Texas reinvents the traditional library by offering a "library of things."

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Texas Rural Funders
  • #Arts & Humanities
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Operation Connectivity

Operation Connectivity formed to connect Texas's 5.5 million public scchool students with an e-learning device and reliable internet sufficient for learning.

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Texas Rural Funders
  • #Broadband
  • #Education
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State Office of Rural Health Rural Hospital Funding Resource Guide

The State Office of Rural Health created this funding resource guide for rural health facilities in order to help them more easily find resources relevant to their needs and geographic area.

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State Office of Rural Health
  • #Health
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Scaling Dual Enrollment in Rural Communities

This case study examines how three rural schools in Texas addressed three challenges rural schools face.

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Jobs for the Future
  • #Education
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Tools for Managing Groundwater in the Texas Hill Country

This resource is meant to demystify the available tools for groundwater management and make groundwater planning and management more accessible across the Hill Country.

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Hill Country Alliance
  • #Energy & Environment
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Leading by Example: Ordinances and Tools for Growing Hill Country Communities 

This guidebook is focused on different local policies that can guide development that is protective of Texas' Hill Country. Each guide includes links to example ordinances from around our region, as well as links to more in-depth information on the subject.

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Hill Country Alliance
  • #Energy & Environment
  • #Policy
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Mapping A New Terrain: Five Principles for Equitable Rural Outdoor Recreation Economies

As new rural outdoor recreation economies take root, this report from Aspen Institute created this call to action to ensure sustainable and equitable economic systems to support rural life.

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Aspen Institute
  • #Energy & Environment
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Broadband Recommendations to Connect All Texans

Based on best practices and tailored to Texas, this report works through strategies that serve Texas households, local communities, and private internet service providers.

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Texas Rural Funders
  • #Broadband
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Broadband Financing Series

This unique series focuses on broadband development finance with an emphasis on the legal, technical, and financial challenges facing communities working to develop broadband.

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Council of Development Finance Agencies
  • #Broadband
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National Broadband Resource Hub

The National Broadband Resource Hub is a philanthropic initiative empowering government and community leaders to build a better broadband future.

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National Broadband Resource Hub
  • #Broadband
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Texas Connectivity Maps

Broadband maps showing availability of broadband at various speeds in all 254 Texas counties.

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Connected Nation Texas
  • #Broadband
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Texas Free Wifi Map

Find free wifi in Texas using this map.

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Texas Free Wifi Map
  • #Broadband
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Finding Funding for Nature-Based Projects

Website from the National Wildlife Federation that aims to connect stakeholders (including community planners) with sources of federal funding for infrastructure projects that incorporate natural elements.

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National Wildlife Federation
  • #Energy & Environment
  • #Philanthropy
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Texas Local Public Library Statistics

Annual data on Texas public librarians, including statistics, trends, and more.

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Texas State Library and Archives Commission
  • #Arts & Humanities
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A Winning Trade: How Water Markets Can Benefit Texans & the Environment

Water markets can be an important tool for ensuring efficient use of available water, including ensuring adequate water for the environment. Read the first statewide analysis of historic water market trends.

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Texas Living Waters Project
  • #Energy & Environment
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Federal Support for Rural Communities

Overview of new federal initiative, Rural Partners Network, that seeks to help rural areas maximize the benefits available from the federal government.

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Rural Partners Network
  • #Partnerships
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Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Interim Report

The Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Interim Report covers a wide range of topics and recommendations that address water issues the state faces. Interim charges 1-4 and 9 are focused on water.

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Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs
  • #Agriculture
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Rural Data Gateway

Tool from the U.S. Department of Agriculture features Rural Investment Dashboards to expand access to Rural Development financial data, highlighting Rural Development investments for people in rural America.

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United States Department of Agriculture
  • #Capacity Building
  • #Philanthropy
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County-Level Population Change Map

Map from the US Census Bureau highlighting population change by counties, including rural population gains and losses.

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US Census Bureau
  • #Population
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National Aging and Disability Transporation Center

Annual report examining transportation issues and highlighting examples of solutions being implemented across the United States.

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National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
  • #Transportation
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Reenvisioning Rural America

Tool for rural residents, policymakers, and investors to see the diversity of rural America and to better invest in its full potential.

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Urban Institute
  • #People & Places
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Texas OnCourse

Texas OnCourse Academy offers webinars, tools, and resources to encourage family engagement in schools.

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Texas OnCourse
  • #Education
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Charging Forward

Toolkit to help rural communities take full advantage of federal funding for electric vehicle charging stations.

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US Department of Transportation
  • #Energy & Environment
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Water Database

The Texas Water Infrastructure and Funding Guide helps Texas utilities, municipalities, and decision makers navigate the resources available for water infrastructure.

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Texas Water Infrastructure and Funding Guide
  • #Energy & Environment
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Water System Map

The first comprehensive system map of the Texas water sector which captures how various water entities interact and connect.

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Texas Water Infrastructure and Funding Guide
  • #Energy & Environment
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Rural Collaboration Toolkit

Toolkit from Empower Schools offering in-depth resources to ensure rural student and community success.

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Empower Schools
  • #Education
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Rural Emergency Medical Services and Trauma

Access to Emergency Medical Services is critical for rural residents, but providing pre-hospital services in rural areas is challenging. This resource answers frequently asked questions about rural emergency medical services.

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Rural Health Information Hub
  • #Health
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Farm State of Mind Resource Directory

The Farm State of Mind Resource Directory provides dozens of tools and resources to help farmers and their families address stress and mental health concerns.

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Farm Bureau
  • #Health
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Rural Capacity Map

Rural capacity map identifying communities where investments in staffing and expertise are needed to support infrastructure and climate resilience projects.

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Headwaters Economics
  • #Capacity Building
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Rent Out of Reach

How much does it cost to afford a modest apartment in your state? Tool from National Low Income Housing Coalition, documenting gaps between renters' wages and the cost of rental housing across the United States.

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National Low Income Housing Coalition
  • #Housing
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Rural Health Literacy Toolkit

Toolkit of evidence-based resources for organizations working to improve health literacy in rural communities across the United States.

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Rural Health Information Hub
  • #Health
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Federal Broadband Funding Guide

Updated Federal Broadband Funding Guide to provide a one-stop-shop of resources for applicants.

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration
  • #Broadband
  • #Philanthropy
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Rural Recovery Ecosystem Index

Interactive map identifying funding (philanthropic and opioid settlement funds) available by state. Also provides detailed information about resources available for substance recovery on a county level. Created by the Fletcher Group.

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Fletcher Group
  • #Health
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Exploring Rural Health Podcast

Monthly podcast from Rural Health Information Hub focused on current issues in rural healthcare and population health.

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Rural Health Information Hub
  • #Health
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Pathways to Digital Equity: How Communities Can Reach Their Broadband Goals–and Philathropy Can Help

Guidebook that helps communities evaluate and meet specific connectivity needs. It outlines community needs and how philanthropy can help.

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Benton Institute for Broadband and Society
  • #Broadband
  • #Philanthropy
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Urban Texans’ Perceptions of Rural People

Report summarizing findings from a 2021 survey on how urban Texans perceive rural people and places.

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Sam Houston State University
  • #People & Places
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A Closer Look at Rural Populations: Multistate Research Monitors Changes and Issues Affecting Rural Areas

Report from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture identifying solutions for rural community resilience and environmental sustainability.

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National Institute of Food and Agriculture
  • #Agriculture
  • #Health
  • #People & Places
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A Playbook for New Rural Healthcare Partnership Models of Investment

Action-oriented guide for healthcare organizations pursuing rural partnerships - with communities, economic development and other sectors - to support improved community health.

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Building Healthy Places Network
  • #Health
  • #Workforce & Economic Development
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Thrive Rural Framework

Thrive Rural Framework tool designed to spark new ways of thinking and acting to move communities, regions, and systems toward producing more widespread and equitable rural prosperity, health, and well-being.

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Aspen Institute
  • #Partnerships
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Worried how climate change will affect water in Texas? These researchers want to help you find out

Researchers at Texas State University's Meadows Center are working on a new public dashboard to answer questions about water flow in Texas for communities statewide

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KERA News
  • #Energy & Environment
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Creating and Expanding a Diverse Broadband Workforce with Good Jobs and Career Pathways

Playbook from America Achieves and Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. with recommendations on growing the nation's broadband workforce.

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America Achieves and Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc.
  • #Broadband
  • #Workforce & Economic Development
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Digital Literacy Training from the Public Library Association

The Public Library Association announced digital literacy courses and training materials developed in collaboration with AT&T. 

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Public Library Association
  • #Arts & Humanities
  • #Broadband
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Building a Better America: Commerce Department Fact Sheet for Rural Communities

Information to help rural communities understand the available resources under the infrastructure law, where to apply, and how find more information.

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US Department of Commerce
  • #Broadband
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Get Connected Y’all: A Guide for Texas Communities on Securing Broadband

Guide from Texas Rural Funders with a step-by-step approach to securing fast, reliable, affordable broadband internet service in communities. 

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Texas Rural Funders
  • #Broadband
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Federal Resources for Rural America

The American Rescue Plan provides new and expanded opportunities for rural America. Aspen CSG is collecting links and resources explaining federal opportunities for rural people and places.

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Aspen Institute
  • #Broadband
  • #People & Places
  • #Workforce & Economic Development
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Texas Broadband Plan 2022

The Texas Broadband Development Office gathered input from the Texas Broadband Listening Tour and survey responses to create the first Texas Broadband Plan

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Broadband Development Office
  • #Broadband
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Rural America Placemaking Toolkit

The Rural America Placemaking Toolkit includes a variety of resources, including placemaking activities, projects, and success stories across rural America

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Rural Placemaking
  • #People & Places
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Opportunity Broadband

Pew Charitable Trusts has launched Opportunity Broadband, an alliance of partners committed to helping communities across the country use the nation's investment in universal, affordable broadband.

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Pew Charitable Trusts
  • #Broadband
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Lone Star Stock

Lone Star Stock provides stock photos, videos, and music representing the state of Texas at an affordable price. The site is also seeking creators to continue building the assets available through the site.

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Lone Star Stock
  • #Arts & Humanities
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Where Are Families Taking Advantage of the Home Broadband Discount

Tool created through a partnership between Rural LISC and Heartland Forward, showing where households have enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program.

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Rural LISC and Heartland Forward
  • #Broadband
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Public Libraries Essential to Closing Digital Divide

Article detailing the role of public libraries in expanding digital equity through partnerships with government entities and other efforts.

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Government Technology
  • #Arts & Humanities
  • #Broadband
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How Localities Can Better Promote Internet Subsidies

The Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (the Affordable Connectivity Program's predecessor) was intended to connect the unconnected. A recent study shows that the program did not achieve this goal, but local areas can increase program participation.

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Governing
  • #Broadband
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing billions of dollars in rural communities across the country. This playbook can help rural communities understand the available funding.

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White House
  • #Broadband