The rural communities of the North American Great Plains are experiencing fundamental economic and social changes that threaten their very existence. While local projects offer hope for survival, many communities lack the knowledge needed to envision and evaluate their possible futures. As a consequence, communities may pursue survival strategies…

The major goals of the Partnership for Rural Improvement (PRI) are to explore models for rural development and planning and to engage institutions of higher learning in progressively greater collaboration in delivering services to rural areas. Knowledge of rural planning in a PRI area exists at three scales: planner-educator-facilitators, local…

The handbook is intended for public officials, planners, developers, and others interested in determining probable costs to the public of a development proposal. Specifically, it is intended to help local officials identify cumulative and indirect impacts triggered by a development project beyond the actual development site. The handbook is…