2024 was a historic year for us here at RuralProgress (formerly RuralOranizing.org Education Fund). This year, we accomplished significant achievements in our legislative advocacy, network growth, and civic leadership development programs and witnessed tangible outcomes stemming directly from our work in rural communities nationwide.
Creating opportunities in small cities, small towns, and rural communities with the RECOMPETE Program
Congressman Derek Kilmer designed the RECOMPETE Pilot Program to address long-standing economic inequities. In 2024, it provided $184 million in flexible funding, with half of the grants awarded to rural communities.
This funding will create an estimated 13,500 jobs and strengthen economic infrastructure in regions historically overlooked by federal investment.
Along with our partners at RuralOrganizing.org, we were critical in ensuring rural communities were central to the program’s implementation. In 2021, our team identified early drafts of the RECOMPETE bill as a unique opportunity to promote rural prosperity in communities experiencing persistent poverty and challenging economic transitions.
We’ve worked tirelessly for the last three years to ensure that the previous Congress authorized and funded the RECOMPETE Pilot Program, which passed as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
The RECOMPETE program has been a hope for rural communities facing systemic barriers to federal funding, and the local grants funded through the RECOMPETE pilot program mark a significant shift in federal funding.
Half the $184 million in grants were awarded to rural communities, addressing critical workforce development, childcare, transportation, and social infrastructure gaps.
The pilot program’s emphasis on flexibility, equity, and local solutions sets a precedent for future federal initiatives aimed at rural prosperity.
For example, the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Plan, led by Clallam County, will receive approximately $35 million to revitalize the natural resources industries in the remote region of Washington State’s North Olympic Peninsula, which includes five Tribal nations. Since the decline of the logging industry, the region has faced a lack of job opportunities.
The Eastern Kentucky Runway Recompete Plan, led by Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), will support communities impacted by the decline of coal mining through $40 million investments that connect prime-age residents to resources and training for good jobs in a region of eastern Kentucky. These initiatives will include outreach and training initiatives dedicated to individuals in recovery from substance abuse.
In Wyoming, the Wind River Indigenous-based Economy Recompete Plan, led by the Wind River Development Fund, will invest $36 million in ecotourism, cultural preservation, workforce development, Indigenous agriculture, health care expansion, and land sovereignty to address persistent poverty by creating living-wage jobs for community residents.
Seeing the direct impacts of our legislative advocacy and policy implementation support has been inspiring. Our work is more critical than ever. Congress has failed to appropriate the program entirely, and the initial $200 million allocation has dwindled to $41 million for the second year.
Shaping Rural-Centric Policies Through Our Clean Energy Transition and Beyond
While RECOMPETE represents our most significant legislative victory to date, the impacts of our legislative efforts extend far beyond this program.
Rural policy research and advocacy have been at the core of our work this year. We played a pivotal role in shifting the Senate Farm Bill narrative to focus on “Rural Prosperity,” ensuring rural needs were front and center in the policy debate.
We also integrated rural perspectives into major national initiatives, such as the Harris-Walz Rural Communities Plan and a new Economic Transition bill.
Working with a team of economic development experts and local elected officials, our team played an essential role in a successful effort to reauthorize the Economic Development Administration (EDA) during the last weeks of 2024.
Through federally funded input sessions, we ensured that Community Benefit Agreements prioritized the needs of rural communities, empowering them to have a more excellent voice in decision-making processes.
As the nation shifts to renewable energy, we launched a clean energy projects dashboard to help local leaders navigate renewable energy opportunities.
Our state-level renewable energy analyses for Illinois, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Arizona identified actionable strategies for transitioning to clean energy while benefiting local economies.
Additionally, we published the “Rural Renewables Organization Map” and a Model Community Benefit Agreement to ensure rural communities share in the benefits of renewable energy projects. These resources empower leaders to advocate for their communities and negotiate equitable agreements with developers.
Empowering a New Generation of Civic Leaders in Small Cities, Small Towns, and Rural Communities to Lead Our Most Important Democratic Institutions
In 2024, attacks on democratic institutions in small cities, small towns, and rural communities reached historic levels as politicians at the local, state, and federal level ramped up their support of authoritarianism and white nationalist ideals.
Through the Rural Defenders Union (RDU), we stood alongside activists facing these threats, providing training, resources, and direct support. This work was more urgent than ever. A recent survey of our network found that over 60% of respondents reported witnessing authoritarian warning signs in their communities, and more than 25% experienced political violence or threats. These challenges weren’t confined to competitive political turf, highlighting the need for sustained, community-driven interventions beyond electoral cycles.
Partnering with organizations like the Western States Center and Kentucky People’s Union, RDU is focused on building long-term infrastructure to resist authoritarianism. From media platforms to local organizing hubs, we’ll continue to ensure that rural communities have the tools to advocate for democracy and justice.
Through our Rural Civic Help Desk, our team supported over 150 rural policy colleagues, creating a robust community committed to addressing rural challenges with innovative solutions.
Through workshops and consultations, we educated over 140 elected officials on rural-specific issues and provided mentorship and resources to 37 civic leaders spearheading transformative projects in their communities.
Our monthly Community of Practice meetings became a hub for collaboration. With 27 active members sharing ideas and strategies to advance rural development, our team helped over a dozen rural communities experiencing persistent poverty or challenging economic transitions unlock financial resources to drive impactful local projects.
To support these initiatives, we developed a suite of resources tailored for rural leaders. We published six in-depth case studies highlighting successful rural projects and created two interactive dashboards alongside four comprehensive guides. These resources focus on civic engagement, clean energy, and community benefits, equipping leaders with tools to drive meaningful change.
These connections and collaborations are the foundation of a stronger, more united rural advocacy movement.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we celebrate the progress made in 2024, we’re already looking toward the future. Our team at RuralProgress remains committed to advocating for equitable funding, expanding our networks, and empowering leaders to address their communities’ challenges.
This year’s successes remind us of what’s possible when we amplify rural voices and prioritize solutions to the challenges faced by communities experiencing persistent poverty and challenging economic transitions.
Together, we’ve made meaningful strides toward a thriving rural America, and we can’t wait to build on this momentum in the year ahead.
