Nearly 20 percent of Americans live outside urban areas. Addressing the needs of rural and frontier communities is a top priority for Governors. These populations face unique difficulties, including limited access to health care, insufficient broadband internet availability, distinct economic and workforce shortages, and transportation and infrastructure challenges. Governors are uniquely poised to create solutions cutting across policy areas to support these communities. The NGA Center for Best Practices supports Governors by sharing best practices and providing technical assistance to address these challenges and help rural communities thrive.
NGA Resources
Rural Health: A Strategic Opportunity for Governors
Rural communities are foundational to the nation’s health and economy. With nearly 60 million people living in rural America, these communities help sustain America’s food systems, safeguard energy grids and ...
Governors and States are Advancing Equitable Rural Economic Development and Healthcare
Supporting rural communities is a top priority for Governors, and states and territories are working to advance solutions in this area, particularly with respect to economic development and healthcare. More ...
Agriculture Policy Advisors Network
The Agriculture Policy Advisors Network is a series of monthly calls that connect Governors’ agriculture, fish and wildlife, or natural resource advisors to share ideas and best practices for improving ...
Next Generation of the Healthcare Workforce Project
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices is working with States in a new learning collaborative on strategies to grow and retain the next generation of the healthcare workforce ...
Help Wanted: Building a Pipeline to Address the Children’s Mental Health Provider Workforce Shortage
There is no silver bullet for the mental health crisis but reducing workforce shortages of these critical providers can go a long way to solving the problem. by Jessica Kirchner ...
State Energy Efficiency Policy in a New Era: A Toolkit for Governors
Governors' leadership on energy offers cost savings, job creation, reduced energy consumption, pollution prevention, and strengthened grid security. (Download) Executive Summary Governors support energy efficiency for a variety of benefits: ...
State Strategies to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Rural Communities
This papers pulls together considerations and examples of best and promising practices for Governors, including building vaccine confidence through consistent, transparent and factual communication; establishing straightforward pathways for individuals to ...
Governors Lead on Expanding Access to Affordable Broadband for Telehealth Services
The essential connection between internet access and access to health care has never been more pronounced. The COVID-19 pandemic brought an unprecedented level of need for telehealth to serve as ...
State Strategies to Increase Land Conservation and Recreational Access
A discussion of the 30x30 goal and detail how states can partner with non-profits to enhance land conservation and stewardship efforts that also provide recreational, economic and equity benefits. The ...
