Planting the Seeds: How Land Banks in Small Communities Can Grow Trust and Impact 

Land banks in small communities can deliver immediate and far-reaching impacts through thoughtful community engagement, intentional board development, targeted use of data, and persuasive case-making. Smaller and rural cities and counties are some of the best places to implement land bank best practices, leverage their unique powers, and build relationships over a shared sense of community. The City of Rome/Floyd County Land Bank Authority (RFLBA) has implemented each of these best practices to establish a successful land bank program in one rural Georgia County. 

With its dedicated staff leadership and an energized board of directors, RFLBA has leveraged data to make a case for dedicated ARPA funding to grow their capacity and implement a bold strategic plan. The city and the land bank’s work to grow trust between residents and local government serves as a powerful model for other land banks in small and/or rural communities across the country.  

Join this webinar to:  

• Learn effective strategies for community engagement and establishing and growing a successful land bank in smaller and/or rural municipalities 

• Understand the policies and practices that support targeted affordable housing goals in the City of Rome and Floyd County 

• Hear about RFLBA’s recent accomplishments, including joint development of homes near open space and grant programs focused on lifting home values block by block 

Speakers: 

• Bekki Fox, Community Development Director, City of Rome

• Amanda Carter, Land Bank Authority Manager, Rome-Floyd County Land Bank Authority