Situation
The CRDC determined there was a need for a compendium of rural-oriented programs and resources. Elected officials, community leaders, state and local agencies and citizens lacked awareness of the full range of programs, fund sources and organizations that can be of assistance to rural areas. The CRDC decided to compile a directory of such sources targeted to rural communities and their chief elected officials.

Goals 

• Provide information to rural town officials to improve their access to government and private organization programs and services of help to rural areas.
• Organize and compile the information in a printed report and in user-friendly computer format to enable updating.

Activities
The CRDC formed a working committee to oversee the project and allocated $13,000 for consultant services and report printing. CRDC member organizations reviewed drafts, suggested programs to be included; wrote descriptions of their respective programs and advised on a user-friendly format. The CRDC arranged with two municipal organizations to distribute copies to town officials. Copies were also sent to the majority of organizations listed in the Directory, U.S. Congressional representatives and state legislators. 

Initial Results
The printed report containing 643 entries is an attractive document which includes photos of rural areas in the state; and is also available as a data file for users of Microsoft Access for Windows ’95, Version 7 and above. Listings include brief description, mailing address and telephone number. They are organized into chapters: Agriculture, Cultural Resources, Environmental/Resource Conservation, Housing & Economic Development, Human & Social Services, Land Use, State Government, Tourism, Towns and Cities and Transportation. The printed version is in demand by Cooperative Extension System offices who use it as a referral resource. Town officials’ comments are favorable.

The Directory has proven to be an effective information source and is the most tangible product the CRDC can show the public as we recruit new partners.

Expected/Future Results
A second distribution, as part of an orientation session for newly elected town officials is planned after the November 1997 municipal elections. The consultants will be retained to develop an Internet version of the report, thereby increasing its accessibility. Updates will be made on the data file within one year. 

The long-term hoped-for result will be a document that is current which town officials and others will use as a helpful reference guide.