“Sustainable communities” has as much meaning for rural and tribal communities as it does in urban and suburban areas. Come learn what this term and livability principles mean in a nonmetro context. Learn from HUD, USDA, and rural/tribal communities that have planned and implemented effective strategies. Key topics include economic opportunity, transportation, housing, communications, public engagement, and broadband.

1. New River Valley
Livability Initiative
Lessons Learned

2. Virginia’s New River Valley:
• mostly rural and small
university towns
• Decline in manufacturing
jobs in rural counties
• Sustainable Communities
Grantee, 2011
• 3 year regional planning
process – 9 topic areas

3. Lesson 1: Understand Local Values
RURAL LIVABILITY PRINCIPLES
• Provide more transportation • Protect the rural character and
choices. scenic beauty of our region.
• Promote equitable, affordable • Increase regional self-reliance
housing. and prosperity.
• Enhance economic • Maintain family-friendly
competitiveness. communities.
• Support existing communities. • Reduce household costs.
• Coordinate and leverage federal • Provide more job opportunities.
policies and investment. • Build healthy communities.
• Value communities and • Help residents age in place.
neighborhoods.
• Enhance agriculture viability.

4. CITIZEN OUTREACH
• Kick-off Summit
• On-line and paper surveys
• Spanish language survey
• Lower literacy paper survey
• Small focus group and community
meetings
• Interactive performance
• Digital storytelling
• BUILT planning game
Nearly 1,200 New River Valley citizen
perspectives

5. A Different Community Conversation: BUILT NRV
Goals
core values and priorities
key tensions and tradeoffs
obstacles, challenges
potential action strategies
Comparing
• rural and in-town perspectives
within localities
• differences/similarities between
localities
• perspectives from regional bodies

6. Lesson 2: Expand Your Circle

7. WORKING GROUP INVOLVEMENT
160 participants involved in monthly working
group meetings.
Participants included:
– 10 State agencies
– 12 Regional organizations
– 29 Non-profit and community based
organizations
– 17 Private sector partners or utilities
– 21 Departments from 3 Higher-
Education Institutions
– 15 citizens (no particular affiliation)
– All member localities

8. Lesson 3:
Step out of the Housing Silo
Opportunity

9. KEY TREND: HOUSING COSTS
Rising energy costs & aging housing stock impacts household
budgets – both for discretionary and necessary items.
12.9%
40.40%
18.7%
28.0%
Age of Housing Stock
70+ Years Old 50-69 Years Old
30-49 Years Old <30 Years Old

10. KEY TREND: COMMUTING PATTERNS
Localities with increased number of commuters can lead
to higher household costs.
% Workers Driving
> 25 miles to Work by Income
Floyd
Giles
Pulaski
Radford
Mont. (ex towns)
Blacksburg
Christiansburg
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Less than $35,000 per year
More than $35,000 per year

11. KEY TREND: JOBS & EDUCATION
Education attainment impacts job opportunity and
earning potential.
$60,000
$50,000 Median Household Income
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$0
Less than high school graduate High school graduate (includes equivalency)
Some college or associate's degree Bachelor's degree
Graduate or professional degree

12. KEY TREND: AGING POPULATION

13. Enhancing Living &
Working Environments
• Reduce energy costs
• Affordable housing
options
• Housing choice
• Enhance transportation
options
• Successfully age in
place/ community

14. Making the Business Environment
more Productive & Efficient
• Diversify economic base.
• Improve the region’s
telecommunication and
infrastructure network.
• Create multimodal
transportation access.
• Increase education
opportunities/entrepreneur
support services.
• Strengthen agriculture
viability.

15. Preserving Rural Heritage &
Community Character
• Protect scenic beauty/ view
sheds.
• Enhance outdoor recreation
opportunities.
• Recognize importance of the
arts, culture, and history which
defines community character
and pride.
• Strengthen the economic and
cultural position of downtowns.
• Integrate existing community
character into the design of
community core improvements.

16. Building Healthy Communities
• Monitor and improve the
environmental quality to promote
the health of its residents.
• Promote proactive choices about
food, fitness, family, work, and play.
• Foster collaboration across health
care providers and networks.
• Improve healthy
transportation, housing, and
recreation options and access for
residents.
• Prevent and reduce the burden of

17. IMPACT
Impact
• HOME & Habitat for Humanity
• Community Foundation
• Virginia Community Capital
• Health District and the Built Environment
• Economic Developers and Quality of Life

18. QUESTIONS?
http://www.nrvlivability.org