ABSTRACT
For most of the twentieth century the census has given us a picture of rural and small-town Americans moving to the big metropolitan areas. Planning commissions in small towns and rural areas face special challenges which are unique to such places. The most important thing about selecting a planner for small towns and rural areas (assuming an acceptable level of competency) is to be sure the planner can come to know and effectively work with the people he or she serves. The planner should be able to listen to people rather than always telling them what to do. In many cases a planner's personal style as "Expert Eddie" or "Gloria Grad-Student" will turn people in the community off. Because rural and small-town commissioners and staff so often work in remote locations, it's essential that they receive as much group training as the budget will allow.
