Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP)

The Great Lakes Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) provides solutions for small communities for a variety of needs, and is part of the nationwide Rural Community Assistance Partnership network. Great Lakes RCAP serves a seven-state region that includes Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Great Lakes RCAP Services by State

Ohio

Illinois

Indiana

Kentucky

Michigan

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Visit the national Rural Community
Assistance Partnership website.

New — Planning for Pandemics Toolkit

In response to growing concern over the global spread of the coronavirus that may reach the level of a pandemic outbreak, the Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) has developed a Planning for Pandemics Toolkit for small water systems to help prepare for a pandemic. The toolkit includes informative flyers on the coronavirus and sanitation, as well as and a continuity of operations plan template that can be used to prepare for any pandemic (coronavirus, influenza, etc.).

Click here to access.

Pandemic Training
It's always best to be prepared! Should your operator or other key personnel fall ill, how will your water or sewer system continue to operate? RCAP offered a short webinar in March to explain how small water and sewer systems can develop a plan for pandemics and other illness-related conditions.

If you missed our March 16 Pandemic Preparedness webinar, you may listen at:
3.16.20 Pandemic Preparedness Webinar

Password to access the recording: 2BePrepared

RCAP can help communities:

Gain access to safe drinking water supplies, protect groundwater supplies and watersheds, and treat and properly dispose of wastewater
Plan and finance infrastructure projects
Administer grants
Understand state and federal environmental regulations and requirements

Responsibly manage and operate community facilities
Prepare energy audits and environmental reports
Develop rate studies and asset management plans
Conduct vulnerability assessments and develop emergency response planning
Develop a vision for the future and build leadership capacity in the community

Click to view the latest Great Lakes
RCAP Connection newsletter.

Past Newsletters

Fall 2019

Summer 2019

About National RCAP

National Rural Community Assistance Partnership
Director Nathan Ohle discusses the role RCAP plays in
helping small communities.

Wastewater Systems in Your Community

Senior Rural Development Specialist Bud Mason
for GLCAP/RCAP, gives an overview of
wastewater collection systems.

Good Water Practices

Learn about how you can help your community's
wastewater systems through responsible
home water usage.

It's All About the Data

What can Geographic Information System (GIS)
data do for communities? A lot. Watch to learn
more about GIS.

Kristin Woodall
Director
419-332-2029
klwoodall@glcap.org

Deb Martin
Program Development Coordinator
419-334-5117
dcmartin@glcap.org

Angie McConnell
Loan and Grant Specialist
419-332-2008
ammcconnell@glcap.org

Robin Ross
MIS Coordinator
419-332-8145
rdross@glcap.org

Bud Mason
Regional RCAP Coordinator
740-341-2536
cmason@glcap.org

Valerie Van Fleet
Program Assistant
419-333-6074
vjvanfleet@glcap.org

Federal loans available for water well improvements

Low-interest loans are currently available via the Household Water Well Program for rural residents in need of water well improvements. Through the Great Lakes Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP), residents may borrow up to $11,000 for improvements to water wells and in-home water treatment systems. Loans carry an interest rate of 1 percent; loan maturity may not exceed 20 years and depends on the borrower’s repayment ability.

Community and Rural Development, RCAP,

Kenny shares rural economic growth strategies at national conference

Small communities may not have as many resources as metropolitan areas, but can still use available resources to grow. This was the focus of Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (formerly WSOS Community Action Commission) Community Development Coordinator Ben Kenny’s presentation, "Economic Development in a Rural Community Action Agency," at the National Community Action Partnership Conference, Aug. 29-Sept. 1 in Philadelphia.

Community and Rural Development RCAP