The Rural Economic Development Program provides support guidance and coaching for economic development initiatives in rural communities. The program takes a bottom up community driven approach by providing coaching and tools for rural residents to develop the practical skills to build stronger rural economies in the Basin. The Rural Economic Development Team develops a number of valuable resources including: support and training to access and utilize community economic development programs. access to mentors who will share experience and advice. a tool kit of information about funding sources information about rural economic development internet and websites with best rural practices and contract lists from economic development practitioners. a menu of options customized for each community such as support in understanding the local economy developing community leadership identifying community opportunities and assets and retaining and expanding business. The program is available to rural communities in the Columbia Basin with little or no institutional or administrative support in economic development. Incorporated areas which are covered by an economic development officer or which have a history of accessing economic development support and/or funding from municipal/provincial/federal agencies may also be considered but on a lower priority basis. A community can be geographically based or a self defining interest based group primarily focused on rural economic development that can demonstrate support from their community.