A tribute to rural strength and recovery

Hi Neighbor,
My name is Madeline, and I lead the communications program here at Resource Rural. One of my greatest joys in this work is reading and learning about the incredible stories and hard work of my neighbors in small towns like mine across the country.
That joy — in part — is why it’s taken me so long to write this next send. I’ve been devastated to watch the damage that’s wrecked havoc across the Southeast these past weeks, and heartbroken to watch communities lose the nooks and brooks where their families have made memories for generations. My own folks, displaced by Helene in North Carolina, have consumed much of my waking hours.
Amidst turbulence, I’ve been bolstered by the stories of resilience pouring from rural places across the region. Backhoes and mules, hands over hands, and small town know-how aren’t just bringing people together, they’re saving lives.
To honor the grit, determination, and resilience of the rural places we love, here are a few stories from the Southeast of hard work, revival, and contribution.
I hope that you and your loved ones have everything you need.
Madeline
A new bridge in Tyrell County, NC will be a lifeline for the local economy
This piece was made by the Durham-based videography team at Remedy
In 1963, Tommy Everett walked across the Alligator River Bridge during its dedication as a Cub Scout. Now, over six decades later, that same bridge in Tyrrell County, North Carolina, is receiving a much-needed upgrade thanks to a $111 million federal grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“The beautiful thing of this bridge project is everybody came together and said,” Everett shared with us. ‘“We have a problem and let’s see how we fix it.’” The new bridge, which will be taller and safer, will improve access to schools, work, and healthcare for Tyrrell County residents and boost internet and telecommunications services.
Evertt shared with us that federal projects in Tyrell County are supporting other vital improvements such as water and sewage systems, as a part of broader push to improve rural infrastructure. You can read more about the projects here.
Biloxi recovers from hurricane impacts with water management infrastructure
Residents of Biloxi, Mississippi – a coastal city hard-hit by Hurricane Katrina — are used to the challenges created by recurring floods. But one local organization, the Steps Coalition, is using federal funding and the help of the Anthropocene Alliance to utilize native landscaping and an underground bioswale to capture rainwater and allow it to release into the soil over time. That measured release mitigates the likelihood of flooding in an area where the water table is exceptionally high.
And that singular, thoughtful project has led to two more efforts that could have an even greater impact on the Biloxi community. The two new projects will utilize $227,000 in funding from additional National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act.
“It would have an immediate benefit for the community,” Gordon Jackson of the Steps Coalition shared of the bayou restoration projects. “We’re trying to create healthy spaces for the community that also protect at the same time.”


A few more Southeastern stories to share:
- The story of Alice Dunn in Georgia, who found relief through Groundswell’s SOUL program when faced with a failing roof, broken window, and aging HVAC system ‘I’ve never been so happy in my life:' GA woman finds federal grant for home improvements
- The story of Schumata Brown in North Carolina, who secured $5 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to implement a water filtration system in Maysville. North Carolina Town Utilizes Federal Funds To Manage PFAS Contamination
- The story of Doug Barrick in North Carolina, who is reimagining local roadways with $20M from the RAISE grant program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In Rural North Carolina, Improving Transportation boosts Connectivity
- The story of Susan Liley in DeSoto, Missouri, who is fighting flooding in her community with funding through the Inflation Reduction Act and the National Fish and Wildlife Service. Flood recovery through local resilience
Rural storytellers in the news:
- Successful Farming: 15 Minutes With a Farmer Podcast: Wendy Johnson, Iowa Organic Farmer
- Forward Kentucky and Daily Yonder: Inflation Reduction Act fuels Kentucky grocer’s money-saving solar energy investment
- WYMT Mountain News: Grocery store saving money by installing solar panels
- KUER: Utah has a $276M bet on farms to save Colorado River water. How’s it going?
- Arizona Silver Belt: Federal grants to boost property cleanups in Superior