Transportation & Infrastructure

Across the U.S., RDOs work with state and local governments and other partners to plan, seek funding, and implement projects related to transportation and infrastructure.  

In over 30 states, RDOs collaborate with their state departments of transportation to conduct outreach to local governments about transportation priorities and to assist with statewide and rural planning. Many RDOs also serve as metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) that complete short- and long-range plans in urbanized areas. 

RDOs may also assist with broadband planning, seeking funding, and deployment; rural water and wastewater issues; and energy, such as helping local partners to plan and implement renewable energy projects.  

In the resources below, you’ll find publications and materials related to rural and regional transportation, broadband, water and wastewater, energy, and other infrastructure. The NADO RF developed many of these materials with funding support from the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, and other partners. Some materials are also shared here from other organizations whose work may be beneficial to RDOs and their stakeholders.
Rural Transportation Website

Resources

Categories
Transportation Category

Strategic Planning And Revitalization for Communities

East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) is using a creative method to plan with small communities in their region. SPARC, Strategic Planning And Revitalization for Communities, is a small community technical assistance program that combines visioning workshops, design consultation, and grant assistance to help communities move projects forward.

Read More »

Power Regions: Rural Energy Academy Visits Austin 

On April 17, 2026, NADO’s Rural Energy Academy (REA) team hosted a post-conference session at the University of Texas JJ Pickle Research Campus following the Southwest Regional Economic Development Association (SWREDA) conference in Austin, TX. Economic Development District (EDD) leaders from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas spent the afternoon hearing from researchers, practitioners, and community leaders on pressing energy topics facing rural communities today before embarking on a tour of the UT Energy Institute data center.

Read More »

Questions? Contact Carrie Kissel.

Search NADO.org