Our Mission

With residents and partners, Rural LISC supports resilient and inclusive rural communities as great places to live, work, and innovate. Rural LISC strives to identify priorities and opportunities and deliver the most appropriate support to meet local needs. We achieve this through integrated strategies and programs focused on five pillars of rural community development: Creative Capital, Broadband & Infrastructure, Workforce Development, Housing, and Disaster Solutions.

Why Rural?

Rural America is the primary source of the nation’s food, water, fuel and recreation.
Almost 75 percent of America’s land mass is rural.
Over 46 million people live in rural America and veterans make up 25 percent of the rural population.
Three out of five “boomers” say their idea of a perfect retirement location is a small town or rural area.

Rural Challenges

Lack of quality and affordable housing options
Shrinking access to health care and medical facilities
Struggling economies with limited job opportunities
Limited quality education for all ages
Lack of access to technology and internet connectivity

Rural America is 3 million square miles and 71 million people. It is countryside, small towns, mountains, farmland and coastal shores. Rural America is part and parcel of our entire country, and it matters! Despite the image of rural America as a farm-driven economy, less than nine percent of rural jobs are in the combined farming, agricultural services, forestry and fishing industries. The problems facing these communities are as varied as their landscapes. Rural LISC works to equip rural areas with capital, strategy and technical assistance – helping to preserve and strengthen rural life, and providing a supportive network that connects community-based organizations to each other.