Services | Backing Small Consul

Our Services

At Backing Small Consulting, we provide hands-on, full-service consulting tailored to the unique goals and conditions of the communities, organizations, and businesses we serve. Our work is grounded in strategic planning, sustainable development, and data-informed decision-making—with a strong foundation in rural, outdoor, and place-based economies.

Our work includes, but is not limited to:

🔹Strategic & Economic Development Planning

We support local, regional, and Tribal partners in designing clear, actionable plans that move ideas into implementation. This includes CEDS development, recovery planning, housing strategies, downtown revitalization, Main Street planning, and rural placemaking initiatives.

🔹 Grant Writing, Administration & Support

From identifying aligned opportunities to developing competitive proposals and managing awards, we offer full-spectrum grant services. We’ve helped secure more than $650 million across federal, state, and philanthropic sources—including support for large-scale infrastructure, capital projects, and economic development initiatives.

🔹 Business Support, Coaching & Feasibility Studies

We provide customized support for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits—from business plan development and feasibility studies to startup coaching, capacity-building, and program design. We also assist with business recruitment and retention strategies in rural and tourism-driven economies.

🔹 Outdoor Economy & Tourism Strategy

With deep experience in outdoor and recreation-based economies, we support everything from land management and trail master plans to ADA-compliant infrastructure design, fish habitat restoration, and visitor experience planning. We also offer strategy development for sustainable tourism and regional outdoor growth.

🔹 Data Analysis & Decision Support

We provide practical, applied data services—including community profiles, GIS-based tools, environmental overlays, and performance dashboards—to help clients make informed decisions, communicate impact, and shape long-term strategy.

🔹 Nonprofit & Community-Based Organization Consulting

We help nonprofits, Tribal entities, and community-led groups align programming, improve governance, and pursue sustainable funding. Services include grant readiness, program development, and operational strategy tailored to small team environments.

🔹 Sustainability & Circular Economy Integration

We support businesses and communities in implementing sustainability practices, with an emphasis on practical, scalable strategies. This includes circular economy education, internal policy development, and light-touch recognition programs.

🔹 Innovation & AI Integration

We help mission-driven teams responsibly integrate AI into their work—from automating repetitive processes (like grant templates or outreach) to enhancing research, workflows, and communication. Our goal is to make emerging tools accessible and manageable for small organizations.

🔹 Main Street & Downtown Revitalization

We work with local governments and business districts to breathe new life into downtowns through place-based design, streetscape planning, business mix strategy, tourism activation, and stakeholder engagement. We’re Certified Rural Place-Making Experts who know how to turn vision into visible impact.

🔹 Workforce Development & Micro-Credentialing

We design workforce strategies aligned with regional needs—especially in outdoor rec, energy, tourism, and resilience sectors. Our services include workforce planning, credentialing program development, and wraparound support for job seekers and employers.

🔹 Affordable Housing Strategy

We support communities in assessing needs, aligning funding opportunities, and creating implementable housing solutions. Our team helps connect planning efforts to actionable development strategies that reflect local realities.

🔹 Brownfield Redevelopment

We help communities revitalize underused or contaminated sites, aligning redevelopment plans with funding strategies and long-term land use goals. We understand the intersection of planning, environmental remediation, and public engagement.