Rural Community Peer Program

What is the Rural Community Peer Program?

The purpose of the Rural Community Peer Program is to provide rural communities with an opportunity to learn from other community’s best practices. The program is based on the premise that communities with successful projects are excellent resources for other communities wanting to achieve a similar level of success with their own development projects.

Experience shows that peer learning on-site provides leaders with a chance to observe some of the subtleties of a project that might otherwise be overlooked. It also provides an opportunity for a direct exchange between project participants, and an on-site advantage that involves gathering and reviewing data and discussing projects based on a variety of perspectives and partnerships.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The program is targeted for communities with a population of 10,000 or less. Communities will be selected based on need and projected impact of the planned projects and on the availability of funds. The number of community leaders participating in the actual visit may vary, but must always include a Chief Elected Official (CEO), designated person, or a major stakeholder in the local project, or both.

What Costs are Eligible?

Applicants may apply for an amount up to $350.00 to pay for, or minimize, the cost of the peer visit. The Department of Commerce will pay all costs on a reimbursement basis. Receipts are required for reimbursement.

Mileage

Individuals will be reimbursed consistent with state travel standards of $.0585 a mile if a personal vehicle is used. Car or van rentals are also eligible.

Meals

Individuals will be reimbursed at the state per diem of $30.00 for a full day, or per diem rates for partial days. Funds can also be used to reimburse the host community for any cost incurred to hold the meetings. For this reason, it is important that both communities coordinate costs to maximize the use of available funds and develop a budget.

Depending on need and the availability of funds, participants may be able to be reimbursed for a follow-up meeting.

Lodging

Loding is eligible to individuals if the visit is for more than one (1) day. Again, receipts are required for reimbursement.

Ineligible Costs

Costs are ineligible for out of town speakers, consultants, conferences or other events that require paid registration or travel of full-time paid Rural Development professionals.

What is the Application Process?

1. Applicant must complete the Rural Community Peer Program Application
2. The Department of Commerce will notify applicants if they are approved within fifteen (15) working days of receiving the application.

Examples are used here to illustrate some of the detail that can go into a peer visit.

What is Required after the Visit?

A report must be completed within thirty (30) days after the visit. The report should summarize the visit and how the information will be applied to meet the applicant’s development objectives.

For more information, contact your regional Commerce representative by clicking on their name below. Regional designations are as follows:


Bob Swanby
Jerry Miller
Hank Ebert
Greg Seibert
Kit Kamo

Note: Counties in white are handled by the entire Business Assistance Staff.

P: (208) 334-2470
F: (208) 334-2631