Planning · Economic Development · Speaking · Writing
John C. Shepard, AICP
Helping rural communities turn plans into action.
More than 30 years of experience in planning and economic development — connecting data, community priorities, and practical implementation across the Midwest, Great Plains, and Rocky Mountain West.
What John C. Shepard does
Planning, speaking, and practical insight.
Work grounded in more than three decades of experience with rural communities, local governments, and the decisions that shape their future.
Speaking and podcasts
Keynotes, conference sessions, panels, and podcast conversations on rural planning, economic development, land use, resilience, and community decision-making.
Invite JC to speak →Planning & development
Comprehensive planning, land use, economic development, hazard mitigation, and implementation strategy for rural communities and small-town governments.
Start a conversation →Writing and research
Practical, policy-driven writing that connects data and planning theory with the realities facing rural leaders, planners, and communities.
Read the articles →Areas of expertise
Experience across the issues rural communities face.
More than three decades working across planning, development, infrastructure, resilience, natural resources, and public policy.
Recent thinking
What JC is writing about right now.
Practical, policy-driven analysis grounded in the realities facing rural communities.
Man-made hazards and land use planning: the risks nobody puts on the map
Natural hazards and the comprehensive plan: the hazards are already on the map
How comprehensive plans shape fire, EMS, law enforcement, and emergency management
Coming soon
Let’s talk
Bring practical rural experience to the conversation.
Looking for a speaker, planning and development expertise, or a podcast guest with more than three decades of experience in rural America? Let’s talk.
Get in touch →