Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Recreation Economy for Rural Communities
Please note that we are not currently accepting applications for the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) program. On this page, you can find information about previous and potential future rounds of the RERC program.
On this page:
About the Program
1. When will EPA request the next round of applications for RERC planning assistance?
2. Are grant funds strictly for planning purposes, or can brick and mortar projects be considered as well?
3. What is the anticipated start date of assistance, if received? How long will the planning assistance last?
4. Is there a cost to the communities selected for the planning assistance?
5. Who provides the planning assistance?
6. How many communities are typically selected in each round?
Applicant Eligibility
7. Are there any geographic regions or other factors that are prioritized during the selection process?
8. Does the applicant have to be a single community, or could a region apply for the planning assistance?
9. Can an organization apply for more than one neighborhood or town in the region as long as they are separate applications?
10. Are U.S. territories eligible to apply?
11. Can a local college, public university, or extension agency be a lead organization?
About the Application
12. What should I do if I have difficulty completing the online application form?
13. Should I combine my letters of support into one document?
About the Program
1. When will EPA request the next round of applications for RERC planning assistance?
The Recreation Economy for Rural Communities website will be updated when there is a new call for applications. To ensure you get notified about upcoming rounds of assistance, please subscribe to our newsletter.
For reference, you can also find the 2021 call for applications here.
2. Are grant funds strictly for planning purposes, or can brick and mortar projects be considered as well?
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities is not a grant program. Communities selected to receive assistance through this program will not receive funds from EPA. Partner communities will receive help from a planning team to consider challenges and opportunities, convene a community workshop, and develop an action plan for community revitalization through the recreation economy. We encourage participation from federal and state agencies and other potential partners in the planning assistance process so that communities can learn about how they might secure additional resources to help them accomplish their vision, but those funds are not guaranteed. The assistance is strictly for planning and cannot be used for brick and mortar projects.
3. What is the anticipated start date of assistance, if received? How long will the planning assistance last?
Community workshops for the previous round of assistance occurred between 2022 and 2023. The timing will depend on the community’s preference, in consultation with the planning assistance team. Three planning calls generally begin seven (7) to ten (10) weeks before the community workshop, and three follow-up calls generally are completed eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks after the workshop.
4. Is there a cost to the communities selected for the planning assistance?
Most communities incur little to no cost aside from staff and volunteer time devoted to planning and participating in the workshop. The program does not provide any funds directly to communities. The community is responsible for securing a venue for the workshop, although most communities are able to identify a no-cost venue. In addition, the planning assistance award does not include funds for refreshments at the workshop; any refreshments are provided at the community’s discretion and cost.
5. Who provides the planning assistance?
The planning assistance team will be selected by EPA and will include federal staff and contractors hired by EPA through a competitive solicitation.
6. How many communities are typically selected in each round?
This depends on funding availability. Twenty-five (25) partner communities were selected in 2022, and ten (10) partner communities were selected in 2020. For future rounds, the number of communities selected may vary.
Applicant Eligibility
7. Are there any geographic regions or other factors that are prioritized during the selection process?
Communities located anywhere in the United States are eligible for this planning assistance. In previous rounds of assistance, smaller communities, rural communities, tribal and Alaskan Native Village communities, communities in the Northern Border region, communities in the Appalachian region, communities facing economic challenges, and communities with substantial minority populations received special consideration during the selection process.
8. Does the applicant have to be a single community, or could a region apply for the planning assistance?
Regional organizations are eligible to apply. However, the application should request assistance for a single neighborhood, town, or community and identify a strong local partner. Multi-county or state-level projects are not appropriate for this type of assistance.
9. Can an organization apply for more than one neighborhood or town in the region as long as they are separate applications?
Yes, applicants can submit multiple, separate applications for consideration. However, no more than one application from a single neighborhood or town will be selected for assistance.
10. Are U.S. territories eligible to apply?
Yes, U.S. territories are eligible for this assistance.
11. Can a local college, public university, or extension agency be a lead organization?
Yes. Applicants need to show how they will be able to bring together community stakeholders, including residents, for a community workshop.
About the Application
12. What should I do if I have difficulty completing the online application form?
There is not currently an open request for applications. Instructions for completing the online application form will be posted when a new call for applications is released. At that time, this FAQ will be updated with a response to this question.
13. Should I combine my letters of support into one document?
Historically, letters of support were submitted as a single combined file and attached in the online application form.