John C. Shepard, AICP
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jcshepard.com
John C. Shepard, AICP
@jcshepard.com
Trusted source for actionable insights and visionary perspectives on community planning, economic development, & rural resilience.
VC-Communications at APA Small Town & Rural Planning Division.
On the blog for your holiday gift-giving: 12 planning & sustainability books for 2026, from small-town action and civic branding to agri-energy and rural futures. What’s on your reading list for the new year? jcshepard.com/2025/12/plan...
#smalltowns #rural #planning #econdev #books
December 7, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Rural Entrepreneurs Aren’t Taking No for an Economic Answer

The line between Main Street and Country Roads has never been as clear as people often thought….
#SmallTowns #rural #econdev

medium.com/small-towns-...
December 6, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The Idea Friendly Guide: How You Can Embrace New Ideas, Build Community, and Save Your Small Town
Get your copy of Becky McCray’s new book today!

Review: jcshepard.com/2025/12/the-...
#SmallTowns #Rural #leadership
December 2, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Small towns don’t need mega-projects to thrive—they need local wisdom, small wins, and community-led design. Millsboro (DE), Independence (IA) and Truth or Consequences (NM) show how “praxis” turns big planning ideas into walkable streets, vibrant parks, & revived main streets.
#smalltowns #rural
November 30, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Looks like data.census.gov coming back online. Welcome back US Census Bureau staff!!

Get your #Census data while you can.
November 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Turning theory into action: Rural towns like Hinesburg, VT & Davis, CA show how smart zoning puts big ideas into practice—blending growth, farmland, and community into real results. Ideas on how local values shape better land use here: jcshepard.com/2025/11/rura... #RuralZoning #Praxis #SmartGrowth
November 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Kristan Cockerill, Appalachian State University, discussed the idea of the #Midwest as “Flyover Country”. Spoiler: we do it to ourselves… so go ahead and embrace it. Like “Nebraska… we’re not for everyone”.
November 15, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Kurt Hackemer, Provost at University of South Dakota, opening The Lost Region Recovery Project conference on #Midwest Studies in Sioux Falls. Sponsored by Middle West Review & National Endowment for the Humanities.
November 15, 2025 at 2:09 PM
"One of the best-preserved forts of the Northern Plains and a prime example of the small prairie fort is Fort Hartsuff on the eastern edge of the #Nebraska Sand Hills."
-Jeff Barnes, Forts of the Northern Plains: A Guide to Military and Civilian Posts of the Plains Indian Wars (New Edition, 2024)
November 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Lost Region Recovery Project Conference
November 15, 2025
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Innovative approaches to Midwestern #history, #culture, and #identity.

uimiddle.wordpress.com/lost-region-...
#Midwest
November 13, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Small towns thrive with small, smart steps: crosswalks, park upgrades, shared spaces—local ideas and teamwork make Active Living part of daily life!

See how rural communities can create big change: jcshepard.com/2025/11/acti... #ActiveLiving #smalltowns #rural #publichealth
November 9, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Agritainment blends agriculture & fun—think corn mazes, pumpkin patches, & craft wineries! It boosts local tourism, connects communities, & celebrates our heritage. Smart planning makes it all possible. Read more: jcshepard.com/2024/11/agri... #Agritainment #Placemaking #Tourism #econdev
November 6, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Small towns thrive by putting theory to work—by applying praxis and implementation to rural planning projects. Learn how rural communities are turning their strengths into action in our latest article: jcshepard.com/2025/11/prax...
#SmallTown #Rural #Planning #Policy #RuralAction
November 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
How can rural places drive real progress—from ideas to action? This November, join stories & tips for small towns using local assets for lasting change. Praxis, pilots, and people-centered implementation.
Read more: jcshepard.com/2025/11/big-...
#Smalltown #rural #planning #econdev
November 1, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Rural communities can boost resilience and local jobs by stacking renewables: biomass, geothermal, SMRs, solar, and wind. Learn how integration can fuel economic growth and energy independence. Read more: jcshepard.com/2025/10/rura...

#SmallTown #Rural #RenewableEnergy #econdev
October 27, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Rural America’s next #energy wave is here: biomass, geothermal & SMRs boost resilience, jobs & clean power—beyond just solar/wind. Case studies show these techs turn waste & legacy sites into local opportunity. See how the rural energy mix is changing: jcshepard.com/2025/10/rura...
#Renewables
October 26, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Solar farms are rewriting the story of rural America. Clean power, steady land income, $739M in local tax benefits last year — but not everyone’s shining on solar yet. 15% of U.S. counties now limit new projects.

Is renewable energy progress meeting rural priorities?

jcshepard.com/2025/10/sola...
October 22, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Trump crackdown on offshore wind hits US shipbuilders & ports: $679M+ in grants canceled, ship orders dry up, and port projects delayed. Industry faces job losses, uncertain future.

Details: www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
#wind #energy #Renewables #econdev
October 22, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Rural America is blending solar with farming—agrivoltaics means clean energy, more income for farmers, and thriving pollinators. Smart zoning helps landowners & communities benefit together. See how solar & ag can work side by side: jcshepard.com/2025/10/sola...

#Rural #Agrivoltaics #Solar #Energy
October 19, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Take pride in your community.
October 16, 2025 at 7:47 PM
On Zoom right now, Caleb Pollard, Valley County, Nebraska, Economic Development: Creative Methods to Tackle Community Revitalization.
HomeNE webinar. www.homene.us
#NE #rural #econdev #housing
October 16, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Reviving #rural America with clean power! 🌱 Discover how local energy and community projects can spark a new renaissance. Check out this insightful book review from the Spring 2024 @apa-star.bsky.social newsletter: jcshepard.com/2025/10/rura...
#SmallTownRural #RenewableEnergy #wind #solar #policy
October 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
How are rural communities shaping wind energy’s future? Economic boosts, wildlife challenges, smarter zoning, and cool innovations like wooden towers—in our latest post in October's energy series.

Read more: jcshepard.com/2025/10/wind...
#rural #econdev #WindEnergy
October 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
🏛️ Today is #WorldArchitectureDay. Celebrated annually on the first Monday of October since 1985, this day recognizes architecture's vital role in shaping our communities. This year's theme: "Design for Strength" - emphasizing resilience & sustainable rebuilding. #Architecture #UrbanDesign
October 6, 2025 at 6:15 PM
🔋 Global energy hit record highs in 2024. While fossil fuels still dominate at 86.7%, renewables are surging--now 30% of electricity. Solar up 23%, wind up 10%. By 2050: renewables + nuclear could power 65-80% of global electricity. The rural energy revolution is here.

jcshepard.com/2025/10/rura...
October 6, 2025 at 12:53 PM