Economic Action Programs

Economic Action Programs help rural communities and businesses dependent on natural resources become sustainable and self-sufficient.

The Rural Community Assistance programs help rural communities build skills, networks, and strategies to address social, environmental, and economic changes.

The Forest Products Conservation and Recycling program helps communities and businesses find new and expanded business opportunities based on forest resources.

The Market Development and Expansion program helps develop new markets for natural resource based goods and services.

Vision
Vital rural communities are able to achieve their desired level of sustainability as part of healthy ecosystems.

Strategic Purpose
Develop and enhance rural community vitality, resiliency, and economic opportunities within a sustainable natural resource framework.

Desired Future Conditions
An increased number of vital rural communities able to exercise effective civil capacity and community resiliency in the face of ongoing change, as indicated by:

• Increased use of the skills, knowledge, and abilities of local people
• Strengthened relationships and communication
• Improved community initiative, responsibility, and adaptability
• Developed appropriately diverse and healthy economies, including increased family-wage jobs and locally owned businesses
• Sustained healthy ecosystems with multiple community benefits

Approach
The Forest Service Economic Action Programs (EAPs) approaches are facilitative, catalytic, community based, inclusive, collaborative, capacity building, flexible, measurable, and accountable.

Desired Outcomes of this Strategic Plan

• Rural Communities With Capacity To Manage Change
• Sustainable Resource Management via Collaborative Stewardship
• Appropriately Diverse Economies
• Effective Forest Service Institutional Infrastructure
• Effective Communication and Outreach