Rural entrepreneurs, resilient communities, sustainable prosperity
THESE ARE THEIR STORIES
Keeping a Community Flowing
Hensley, Arkansas, is an unincorporated community in the central part of the Natural State, approximately 18 miles south of Little Rock. Maple Creek Farms Sewer and Improvement District, a platted subdivision in southeastern…
A Childhood Dream, A Lifetime of Care
Edward Hatch knew what he wanted to do with his life by the age of eight. His inspiration came from his grandfather’s best friend, Clarence Bowmen Sr., the town’s funeral director, who frequently visited the Hatch household…
A Home of Her Own
It starts with a porch light flickering on, a garden planted, a family settling in — and slowly, an entire neighborhood begins to thrive. In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the vision of homeownership is no longer just an aspiration.…
Stepping Out on Faith
For years, Alvin Davis spent his days managing a retail team, helping build profits for a major chain. But deep down, he knew he was meant to build something for himself. “I’ve worked in retail for over 35…
Milestone Brewed
In 2010, Jeff Phillips, a cross-country truck driver, decided to follow his dream and open Tamp & Grind, a coffee shop in the heart of downtown Alexandria, Louisiana. The timing was serendipitous, as the downtown area…
More Than Housing
In England, Arkansas — a small rural town with a population of just 2,800 — housing is more than just a place to live. It’s a foundation for stability, dignity, and community. Yet, for many low- and moderate-income families,…
Waldron Rises
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains near the Oklahoma state line, Waldron, Arkansas, is a small town in Scott County with a population of over 3,300 residents. As the county seat, it lies along U.S. Highway 71, a major…
Bungee Boom
In Fayetteville, nestled within Fiesta Square, is a gym unlike any other in Northwest Arkansas. Elevate Bungee Fitness, founded by Kayleigh Cooper, offers a unique low-impact, high-intensity workout experience that caters to…
Building Stronger Communities
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a long history of serving every county in Texas, with agents and specialists positioned to provide hands-on education and programs based on scientific research. Through a grassroots…
Fighting for Stability
Melville, a small fishing town of 746 residents in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, has faced decades of administrative and infrastructure challenges. Situated along the Atchafalaya River, the town struggled with incomplete…
Surviving Against Odds
Arkansas has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in the nation, with nearly 19% of its population affected, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report released in September 2024. The Arkansas Foodbank,…
Communities Unlimited Launches New GIS Loan Program to Support Mapping Projects
bnvRural communities often struggle to access critical Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping services, relying on grants or other funding sources that can take time to secure. To bridge this gap, Communities Unlimited…
Overcoming Arsenic
White Deer Village Condominium Association, a nonprofit in Houghton Lake, Michigan, located in Roscommon County, has managed its community’s infrastructure for over 36 years. One of its most persistent challenges has been…
Keeping a Community Flowing
Hensley, Arkansas, is an unincorporated community in the central part of the Natural State, approximately 18 miles south of Little Rock. Maple Creek Farms Sewer and Improvement District, a platted subdivision in southeastern…
A Childhood Dream, A Lifetime of Care
Edward Hatch knew what he wanted to do with his life by the age of eight. His inspiration came from his grandfather’s best friend, Clarence Bowmen Sr., the town’s funeral director, who frequently visited the Hatch household…
A Home of Her Own
It starts with a porch light flickering on, a garden planted, a family settling in — and slowly, an entire neighborhood begins to thrive. In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the vision of homeownership is no longer just an aspiration.…
Stepping Out on Faith
For years, Alvin Davis spent his days managing a retail team, helping build profits for a major chain. But deep down, he knew he was meant to build something for himself. “I’ve worked in retail for over 35…
Milestone Brewed
In 2010, Jeff Phillips, a cross-country truck driver, decided to follow his dream and open Tamp & Grind, a coffee shop in the heart of downtown Alexandria, Louisiana. The timing was serendipitous, as the downtown area…
More Than Housing
In England, Arkansas — a small rural town with a population of just 2,800 — housing is more than just a place to live. It’s a foundation for stability, dignity, and community. Yet, for many low- and moderate-income families,…
Waldron Rises
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains near the Oklahoma state line, Waldron, Arkansas, is a small town in Scott County with a population of over 3,300 residents. As the county seat, it lies along U.S. Highway 71, a major…
Bungee Boom
In Fayetteville, nestled within Fiesta Square, is a gym unlike any other in Northwest Arkansas. Elevate Bungee Fitness, founded by Kayleigh Cooper, offers a unique low-impact, high-intensity workout experience that caters to…
Building Stronger Communities
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a long history of serving every county in Texas, with agents and specialists positioned to provide hands-on education and programs based on scientific research. Through a grassroots…
Fighting for Stability
Melville, a small fishing town of 746 residents in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, has faced decades of administrative and infrastructure challenges. Situated along the Atchafalaya River, the town struggled with incomplete…
Surviving Against Odds
Arkansas has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in the nation, with nearly 19% of its population affected, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report released in September 2024. The Arkansas Foodbank,…
