ARED

HONORING THE PAST, PROGRESSING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

STANDING UP FOR PRESERVATION OF AMERICAS RURAL IDENTITY

Township of Cottage Grove WI historic Natvig Barn on Hwy N

SMALL TOWNS FIGHT TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE AND RURAL IDENTITY

Todays cookie cutter method of sub division development is a path of least resistance approach to land use that allows some Developers interests for short term profits to legally be allowed to sacrifice a regions rural character, identity and environmental assets in the process. This destroys rural regions and their existing communities abiilty to capture and harness business and educational opportunities that lead to long term economic prosperity rooted by a strong sustainable stay in place community anchored by a locally based economy based in goods and services rooted in its unique heritage. Sustainable communities rooted in rural heritage provide educational & recreational opportunities that are integral to high quality living.

“Developer Economies” destroy generational opportunities to grow and prosper beyond that of unhealthy fast food convenience stores & big box retail corridors. Franchise economies have eroded Americas independent footprint, a part of the very foundation that America was built on. Investments in agricultural principals, opportunities and practices can be prioritized when developing new infrastructure on historically rural farmlands. Citizens in the Unincorporated areas along with leaders in Agriculture should have a greater role in policymaking at the local planning table to ensure agricultural assets and conservation principals are prioritized in new developments. Our nation and democracy cannot remain independent if we don't provide pathways for future generations to live in sustainable communities based in a fresh food supply tied to a local economy. We can do more to inspire leaders of tomorrow

We believe by helping to better promote rural economic development blueprints and policies that include measures for protecting our natural and historic resources, we enable communities to move forward stronger and more able to withstand the challenges that come from increasing land development to accommodate population, annexation, and demands that leave people vulnerable within a changing climate.

PRIORITIZING AGRICULTURE-A PARADIGM SHIFT IN PLANNING FOR MODERN DEVELOPMENT ON FERTILE RURAL LANDS

The US RURAL CHAMBER / Alliance For Rural Economic Development/ARED approach represents a separate “lane” of thinking about ” economic development“ that considers agricultural principals, practices and protections for historical and environmental assets as a new paradigm for how we plan for commercial and residential development on historically rural fertile farmland In unincorporated communities that are targets for municipal outreach into their expanding UGB’s (Urban Growth Boundaries)

Making a pathway to building vibrant stay in place communities that are anchored in agricultural values fosters local independence & resiliency and ultimately sustainability that allows for a stay in place locally based prosperous affluient economy . These values ultimately increase a towns economic vitality and potential for growth by anchoring an innovative approach to increasing land value through maintaining rural characteristics & historic preservation that can be proudly passed down thru generations.

With a “Cant Make New Land” philosophy, appropriate infrastructure needs to be placed in the paradigm of local needs for goods and services that offer humane and promising opportunities for economic independence rooted in agricultural history and civics eduction-virtuous pathways that helped build the guardrails of American society. Our mission is to maintain those guardrails of knowlege and values to help inspire the next generation of innovators, leaders and representatives all bound by the values of citizenship

Township of Cottage Grove WI historic Badger School one room schoolhouse on N and Nora

SAVING RURAL HISTORY -PRESERVING THE BADGER SCHOOL IN TOWNSHIP OF COTTAGE GROVE, WI

Built in 1898 the one room BADGER SCHOOL was the home of the In Living Word Church for 22 years, Now it is being revitalized to be a local rural history museum and office for preservation and civics advocacy. We welcome visitors to come see the school house, and step back in time to see a glimpse into the agricultural history of Rural Dane County, WI and the Township of COTTAGE GROVE. Currently visits are by appointment only. We encourage schools, teachers, and other educators to visit. Call 615 491 3668 for info

CONSERVATION NEGLECT & DESTRUCTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Clearcut & torched HWY 96 from Franklin through unincorporated Arrington/Triune

Unincorporated communities should be involved in the planning for State Projects that change a communities way of life. Contracts for excavating and clearcutting timber along rural roadways should be scrutinized, a financial cut from the exports of timber and lost resources should come back into the community to help pay for local infrastructure and maintenance projects that follow.

Demand Zoning to Protect Tree Canopies & Environmental Assets

Non resident investor buyshistoricGENTRY farm

onPatton,diminishing the rural character of the vital 2 lane agricultural corridor of Patton Rd in Arrington, TN. A rise in floodwaters has steadily occurred on the adjoining Nelson Creek-a tributary of the Harpeth River. Documented water rescues shut down the road creating public safety issue. Developers have gotten approval to increase development on this road to include a subdivision of almost 400 homes.

2021 Massive night burning of trees on Hwy 96 from Franklin To Arrington

Franklin to Wilson Pike in Arrington engaging long planned expansion of road from 2 lane to 5 lane. The first of 3 phases of going to the Eastern WIlliamson County line

Urbanization begins Hwy 96

Hwy 96 expansion begins in winter of 2020. The first of 3 phases of TDOTS SR96 expansion of the GEORGE JONES MEMORIAL HIGHWAY going from 2 lane to 5 lane from Arno Rd to the Rutherford county line intersecting unincorporated Arrington/ Triune

Going from a 2 lane to 5 lane creates an environmental shift for unincorporated communities and residents choosing to live in “rural areas” outside of larger municipalities. STATE roads intersect with COUNTY roads in rural areas, creating a complicated challenge for residents when they wake up to sounds of big machinery & chainsaws in their front yards chopping down their beloved 100 year old oak, maple or evergreen trees that stood for generations as part of the BRAND that defined the rural American landscape.

States hold public planning meetings with updates years in advance on big projects, however most of the time the public hearings go unnoticed and are poorly attended by residents creating a “I never knew about that” echo that creates confusion and mistrust of community and government leaders that represent their districts.

Failures in clear communication or cooperation between STATE government timelines for infrastructure projects and the COUNTY governments for which state roads intersect, creates problems for local planners to fulfill the goals laid out in a communities Comprehensive Plan-the living will so to speak -that includes the community and the details the vision and the road map for building and developing and managing growth 20 years into the future.