Rural Community and Economic Development

The Rural Community and Economic Development Division of Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) is tasked with promoting and facilitating community development throughout rural Nevada. The overarching objective is to build prosperity and enhance the quality of life in rural Nevada.

Community development is the process of managing change within communities and involves:

• dialogue among community members to decide their shared vision of the future
• reaching consensus on what needs to be done to achieve that vision, and
• communication, co-operation and collaboration within the community and with resource-providers in achieving that vision

Some of the critical issues involved in community development are:

• infrastructure development and improvement
• education and workforce development
• job creation through entrepreneurship, business development etc.
• social problems (such as affordable housing, crime, substance abuse etc.)
• enhancing cultural and recreational programs
• promoting charitable giving within local communities
• youth retention, especially in rural communities
• leadership development and civic engagement
• developing and improving the quality of governmental services
• marketing the community, and
• development of tourism and other natural resources

The Rural Community and Economic Development Division and its many partners, within and external to the State of Nevada, are engaged in promoting and facilitating development and growth throughout rural Nevada.

In promoting and facilitating Community Development in rural Nevada, the Rural Community and Economic Development Division administers the State and Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.  Established in 1982 and administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), CDBG funds are spent on projects that help achieve one or more of the following goals:

• the development of suitable living environments
• the supply of provide decent housing
• the creation of economic opportunities in rural parts of the state

Program funds must be spent on projects which primarily serve low- and moderate income persons.

The CDBG Program is a widely appreciated and highly flexible community development tool, and a genuine federal-state-local government partnership. The state receives its CDBG funds from the federal government, and uses those funds to provide grants to units of local government which implement the projects, typically using local contractors and/or non-profit organizations.

In Nevada there are 26 local government entities that can apply for the State CDBG funds.  Communities receiving CDBG funds from the state may use those funds for a variety of community development activities, such as:

• acquisition of property for public purposes
• construction or reconstruction of streets, water and sewer facilities, neighborhood centers, recreation facilities and other public works
• demolition
• rehabilitation of public and private buildings
• public services
• planning and capacity building activities
• assistance to nonprofit entities for community and economic development activities
• assistance to private, for-profit entities to carry out economic development activities, including assistance to micro-enterprises

For more information on the Rural Community and Economic Development Division and the State and Small Cities CDBG Program, contact Peter Wallish, Director of Rural Community and Economic Development: (775)-687-9911, or by email at [email protected].

Main Office/TDD Number: 775-687-9900
Toll Free Number: 800-336-1600