MCOG General Assembly

What makes a place “rural”? How do we identify a rural area? Is it just a sparce population or is there more than that? It seems like a simple question, but a lot of people struggle to clearly answer it. Most people, “know it when they see it”, but can’t quite define it.  

At this year's General Assembly, we'll explore what it means to be rural, examine the data and definitions commonly used, and discuss the characteristics that shape rural communities. Beyond understanding a defining feature of Midcoast Maine, we'll consider how rural places can navigate change while retaining the qualities that make them distinctive. 

Building on our understanding of municipal planning, state resources, and national programs, we'll discuss how communities can develop effective regulatory frameworks, balance local social and economic priorities, and strengthen their resilience in the face of development pressures and an increasingly uncertain future. 

By better understanding what we mean when we say "rural," MCOG hopes…