**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS INTEGRATED PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, WITH A FOCUS ON THE SOUTH, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL TRAININGS TO IMPROVE THE CAPACITY OF WATER AND WASTEWATER OPERATORS AND THEIR BOARDS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS, AND TO PROMOTE BETTER LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL DECISION MAKING. OUR OVERALL HYPOTHESIS IS THAT RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT, AS MEASURED BY SYSTEM VIOLATIONS, AFFECTS THE TYPES OF BUSINESSES ABLE TO OPEN, OPERATE, AND EXPAND IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE ECONOMIC VIBRANCY OF RURAL COMMUNITIES. THE TWO RESEARCH OBJECTIVES EXPLORE THE ROLE OF WATER AND WASTEWATER COMPLIANCE SEPARETELY ON THE ABILITY TO CREATE, RETAIN, EXPAND AND ATTRACT FIRMS (AND PEOPLE) IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. WE WILL CAPITALIZE ON THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY'S CENSUS RESEARCH DATA CENTER TO ANALYZE THESE RELATINSHIPS AS WELL AS TWO CASE STUDIES TO FURTHER UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES AND INDUSTRY. THERE ARE SEVERAL IDENTIFIED STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS THAT BUILD THE TECHNICAL, FINANCIAL, AND MANAGERIAL CAPACITY OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM OPERATORS, THE SYSTEM OPERATORS AND THEIR BOARDS, EXTENSION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. EXTENSION ACTIVITIES WILL BE CREATED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THESE STAKEHOLDERS. THIS PROJECT WILL BE CONSIDERED SUCCESSFUL IF A) THERE ARE IMPROVED LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOR CHANGES THROUGH IMPLEMENTING BEST PRACTICES; B) THERE IS ADDITIONAL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN SMALL WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS; C) COORDINATION AMONG RELEVANT FUNDING AGENCIES IS IMPROVED; D) COMMUNITIES ARE EMPOWERED TO MOBILIZE TO ADDRESS LOCAL NEEDS; AND E) RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE MORE COMPETITIVE IN CREATING, RETAINING, AND ATTRACTING HIGH PAYING JOBS.