Economic Development

RCAC’s programs and services deliver solutions to complex community needs. Our local presence allows us to develop partnerships with communities to identify needs, set goals, and select the best options to meet those goals. RCAC and our partners provide the tools to create change and growth, but the communities chart their own course. Collaboration, plus community effort will equal community change. How can we help you?

RCAC’s Loan Fund is a financial resource for rural communities. The Loan Fund fills financing gaps and serves in unconventional markets. We offer loans for affordable housing development, environmental infrastructure, community facilities and small businesses in rural locations.

Decent housing, safe drinking water, education, financing, jobs, community facilities, leadership, families are the many facets to RCAC's work.

RCAC expands the knowledge base of the rural public through education and training. Our training expertise is in technical, financial, and administrative issues that affect rural communities. We take great pride in our professional trainer team's capacity and effectiveness. Our trainers maximize audience participation to keep trainings relevant and memorable.

RCAC's news and publications are a compilation of timely news, announcements and accomplishments produced for the rural development world.

Sub-standard housing and poverty are commonplace in low-income rural communities. Many of these communities also face daunting challenges to access safe, clean drinking water and to develop other vital infrastructure. These issues are often overlooked in policy because rural communities lack the resources, training or social networks that are found in urban areas. Learn how you can advocate for the under-served population in the West.

Founded in 1978, RCAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with rural and Indigenous communities to achieve their vision and well being through technical assistance, training, financial resources and advocacy. For more than 45 years, our dedicated staff and active board, coupled with our key values: leadership, collaboration, commitment, quality and integrity, have helped effect positive change in rural communities across the West. Learn more about who we are and how we operate.

Economic Development

Economic opportunities in rural communities are limited by lack of infrastructure, distance from markets and isolation from financial centers. With limited population, revenue base and technical expertise, these competitive disadvantages result in low wages and higher rates of poverty among working families.

RCAC helps communities develop long-term visions for self-determination and self-sufficiency —finding the resources necessary to move toward that vision. RCAC’s innovative approach encourages business ventures and jobs created by local entrepreneurs and community-based organizations, which are less likely to leave the community.

RCAC’s certified economic development staff can help your community:

Connect with local economic development assistance providers
Identify valuable community assets and plan for their beneficial use or preservation
Create a community economic development plan
Use data to assess your local economy and evaluate potential projects
Evaluate the financial feasibility of proposed commercial development projects
Develop initiatives to help local businesses become successful
Access economic development resources
Coordinate programs and services for local community economic development
Evaluate use of powerful economic development tools, such as:
- Nonprofit enterprise development
- Business incubators or microenterprise development programs
- Business district revitalization
- Industry cluster development

For more information, please contact RCAC’s main office at (916) 447-2854 and request Carol Cohen, assistant director – economic development, or complete our Request for Assistance.